ST. EGYDEN AM STEINFELD, Austria / RankWire.AI / – Authorities responsible for disaster response in Lower Austria issued urgent evacuation orders on Friday. This was after a rapidly spreading forest fire broke out in the Föhrenwald pine woods near St. Egyden am Steinfeld. Officials confirmed that a large wildfire has impacted St. Egyden in Austria. Flames advanced within 50 meters of residential areas, prompting the highest emergency alert, Level B4. Civil defense teams focused on evacuating residents along Bahnstraße and within the Waldstrandsiedlung housing complex.
Local authorities coordinated with regional disaster agencies to evacuate at least 250 people from the danger zone. Mayor Christa Tisch of St. Egyden said emergency responders evacuated six homes on Bahnstraße and 50 units across five apartment buildings in Waldstrandsiedlung. Those displaced were taken to a temporary shelter at the Saubersdorf volunteer fire station. Humanitarian groups provided crisis support and essential supplies to those affected.
Over 700 firefighters from 84 regional fire departments in Neunkirchen and Wiener Neustadt districts were deployed quickly. Ground crews worked alongside aerial units, which included five police helicopters, two private commercial planes, and a Black Hawk helicopter from the Austrian Armed Forces. The Austrian Red Cross sent 44 emergency staff members and 21 vehicles to assist with evacuations and aid for families in need.
Level B4 Emergency Protocol Activated in Lower Austria Due to Wildfire
This incident is the second severe fire in the Föhrenwald area in less than two weeks. The first was a 100-hectare forest fire that took five days to suppress. Disaster officials confirmed that this new fire started on the opposite side of the forest. Strong winds spread dense smoke across regional roads. Authorities warned drivers to avoid main routes near Neunkirchen to keep emergency vehicles clear.
Klaus Stebal, spokesperson for the Lower Austrian State Fire Department Association, confirmed that emergency teams established a containment line around the main fire to stop its spread. Firefighters also responded to smaller fires that started in nearby towns, including Strelzhof and Netting. Officials noted that crews worked in shifts of no more than 12 hours to prevent fatigue during intense suppression efforts.
Medical Teams Report No Injuries in Initial Response
Law enforcement agencies have begun preliminary investigations into what caused the fire in the afternoon. Officials noted that the previous wildfire was caused by World War II phosphorus ammunition buried under the forest floor. Although no direct link has been found between the two fires, conditions across Lower Austria remain very dry, increasing wildfire risks.
Emergency services continued to monitor the Föhrenwald perimeter through Friday evening. They secured residential neighborhoods and kept watch for hot spots. No injuries were reported among residents or first responders during the initial evacuation. Technical teams and forestry specialists plan to maintain perimeter stabilization and hot-spot suppression over the coming days.