Raging Wildfires Overwhelm Carinthia: Intense Firefighting Efforts Underway
In the picturesque town of Völkermarkt, Austria, on Saturday evening, a pair of forest fires erupted in the districts of Ruden and Bleiburg. The volunteer fire brigades from Bleiburg, Loibach, and no fewer than five volunteer brigades in Ruden joined forces to combat the blazes.
The fire in Ruden, initially covering an area of 800 square meters, was meticulously extinguished, with individual hotspots and root stocks being tackled in the afternoon. Approximately 75 firefighters were on site to ensure the swift containment of the fire.
Meanwhile, in Bleiburg, a smaller fire affected 400 square meters of forest in steep terrain. Despite the challenging topography, the fire was quickly contained. However, strong winds posed significant difficulties for the around 200 personnel involved in the extinguishing efforts.
In an effort to aid the firefighting teams, fire backpacks equipped with special forest fire equipment were utilised in Bleiburg, as described by Skubel. Additionally, drones were deployed to assist in the extinguishing efforts in Bleiburg.
The combined efforts of these dedicated firefighters successfully contained and extinguished the fires, ensuring the safety of the local communities and the preservation of the surrounding forests. The resilience and cooperation demonstrated by the volunteer fire brigades in Völkermarkt is a testament to their commitment to protecting their town and its environment.
