The extinguishing work on an army site in the Ebenfurth area (Wiener Neustadt district) continued on Friday. The flames broke out on Wednesday outside an area used as an ammunition store. Three FF members have been injured so far.
The military command of Lower Austria reported that the army, fire brigade and helicopter were also deployed on Friday. Despite the rain during the night, embers still had to be fought. It is not foreseeable when “fire out” can be given. “Fighting hundreds of embers could take several days,” said the state fire brigade command. 1,200 FF forces have been deployed so far, and 330,000 liters of water have been thrown onto the burning forest during 632 fire-fighting flights. On Thursday afternoon and evening, wind had repeatedly fanned embers in the restricted military area. In addition to the army, more than 300 firefighters and helicopters were deployed to fight the flames. “Although the spread of the fire has now been limited to 150 hectares, the risk of the fire spreading again has not been banned,” it said. Flames could “eat” up to 50 centimeters into the ground and produce a variety of embers. “Discovering and fighting these will be the great challenge of the next few days,” it was emphasized. Thermal imaging cameras are used to detect embers. “Burning out” cannot yet be given. When “Burning out” can be given also depends on the weather, according to the military command. The cause is still assumed to be that vegetation in the outside area of a site used as an ammunition store in Großmittel is said to have self-ignited.
source site-12