Wildfire in Austria: Discarded cigarette believed to have caused fire in Carinthia

Austrian police suggest that smoking residues may have been the cause of a recent wildfire that consumed 110 hectares of forest in Lesachtal, Carinthia. Three forestry workers are currently under investigation, as investigators pinpointed the likely origin of the blaze in the Promeggen forest area on Xaveriberg, where the workers were conducting reforestation work last Thursday, April 23rd. The fire, which erupted a week prior, necessitated a major emergency operation in difficult terrain.

Police reported that witness testimonies and aerial imagery assisted in locating the fire’s starting point. According to a police statement, the fire was likely caused by the improper handling of smoking residues and the disposal of ash from a discarded cigarette consumed during the workers’ duties. The three suspects are now being investigated for negligence related to starting the fire.

While the full extent of the damage remains undetermined, firefighting efforts continued through Wednesday. The arrival of rain provided some relief, but crews continued to address remaining hotspots, some reportedly up to 70 centimeters underground. Firefighters utilized specialized equipment, including a thermal imaging drone, and multiple helicopters supported the operation.

The mayor of Lesachtal stated that the situation was largely under control, though a final declaration of “fire out” was not anticipated that day. Local efforts were supplemented by disaster relief units, with hundreds of personnel involved in the ongoing cleanup and extinguishment of embers. The fire also impacted young forest growth, causing concern among local landowners.

Key roads in the area, such as the B111, were expected to reopen partially over the weekend.

Topics: #cigarette #wildfire #discarded