Triggered by lightning?

Kals: Major operation during forest fire in steep terrain

The Libelle Klagenfurt extinguished the source of the fire from the air.

(Bild: Martin Oberbichler)

A forest fire broke out on Sunday morning in Kals am Großglockner in East Tyrol. The trigger was probably a lightning strike a few days ago. Due to the impassable terrain, the firefighting work could only be carried out from the air.

Major operation in Kals am Großglockner. Smoke was reported in a steep wooded area in the Lana district on Sunday morning. The fire was probably started on Thursday evening. According to witnesses, lightning struck. However, the fire was extinguished by the rain.

Fire department commander Alexander Tembler confirmed this to the "Krone" newspaper: "This probably caused the ground to heat up and form a ground fire over the course of a few days. It then started to burn on Sunday morning."

The fire broke out on Sunday morning.

(Bild: Martin Oberbichler)

A few hours later, Libelle Klagenfurt extinguished the fire.

(Bild: Martin Oberbichler)

Numerous firefighters from the Kals and Huben fire departments were deployed. Due to the steep terrain, Floriani firefighters had to be flown to the scene of the fire. The Libelle Klagenfurt was also deployed and brought water to the source of the fire.

The fire was under control shortly after midday. "Fire out" was only reported a good two hours later. "The area had to be dug up as it was a ground fire. We also had to work there with the thermal imaging camera," explained Tembler.

Memories of 2010
A large-scale forest fire had already spread 14 years ago where the emergency services were fighting the fire. From April 24 to May 3, 2010, 485 people were deployed over the entire period. 1.5 million liters of water were dropped from helicopters over the site of the fire on more than 2000 firefighting flights.