Major Fire in Föhrenwald: Ammunition Parts Trigger Weeks-Long Extinguishing Operations

Situation in the Steinfeld: Hard-to-Access Woodland

The Föhrenwald is an extensive woodland in the Steinfeld, a region in the district of Neunkirchen. Due to the special location and the site's munitions-laden past, firefighting operations there are particularly difficult. Ammunition parts stored in the ground are considered the trigger of the current blaze.

Mario Lukas, spokesperson for the Neunkirchen District Fire Brigade Command, described the situation to the media as serious. The incident is part of what is already a tense forest fire season in Austria. The fire brigade pointed out that the situation in the country would remain tense and that caution was advisable when in forests and meadows.

Tense Forest Fire Season in Austria

According to state statistics, 280 forest fires have already been registered in Austria this season. Authorities see a connection with the increasing drought and high temperatures. Emergency personnel appealed to the public not to light open fires in the forest and to report any suspicious smoke developments immediately.

The exact origin of the ammunition parts allegedly responsible for triggering the blaze is part of the ongoing investigation. The Föhrenwald area is known for its military past, which is why finds of ammunition and ordnance are to be expected time and again. Specialists were deployed to assess the situation and rule out further risks.

Origin of the Ammunition and Ongoing Investigations

Residents in the surrounding communities were informed of the situation. Roads around the fire area were temporarily closed to avoid hindering emergency crews. The fire brigade coordinated the measures with the police and the responsible authorities of the State of Lower Austria.

The operation continued into the evening hours. Late on Wednesday evening, emergency crews reported initial progress in the extinguishing efforts, but there was no all-clear yet. According to the fire brigade, pockets of embers in the munitions-laden terrain could continue to pose a risk, making an extended fire watch necessary.

Appeal to the Public

The 2026 forest fire season in Austria is placing unusually heavy demands on emergency services and authorities. The combination of dry weather, ammunition finds, and hard-to-access terrain makes fighting individual fires particularly resource-intensive. The fire brigade expects that the coming weeks could bring further operations of this kind.

Official agencies called on the public to continue avoiding the forest in the affected areas. Walkers, hikers, and cyclists were asked to respect the cordons and follow the instructions of emergency personnel. The responsible authorities announced that they would provide timely updates on further developments in the situation.