Graz, Austria — May 11, 2026 Forest fire near Graz extinguished after 17 days After 17 days of relentless efforts, firefighters have successfully extinguished a massive forest fire north of Graz. The blaze, which spread across 70 hectares of steep terrain, required the deployment of 2,500 emergency personnel. A devastating forest fire that raged for 17 days in the Eisbach-Rein area north of Graz was finally declared under control on Monday morning, marking the end of a grueling battle for emergency crews.
Firefighting Efforts
The blaze, which initially covered approximately 50 hectares, quickly expanded to 70 hectares due to challenging terrain and weather conditions. Herbert Buchgraber of the Bezirksfeuerwehrverband Graz-Umgebung reported that around 2,500 firefighters had been deployed since April 25 to combat the flames. The steep and forested landscape made containment efforts particularly difficult, requiring specialized equipment and round-the-clock shifts.
The fire was first spotted by a passerby, who alerted authorities immediately. Despite the rapid response, the flames spread quickly, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds. Buchgraber emphasized the coordinated efforts of multiple fire brigades, which worked tirelessly to prevent further damage to the surrounding communities.