Very high fire risk

Extreme drought: ash ignites meadow fire

47 firefighters were deployed on Sunday morning

(Bild: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Rinnegg)

Once again it is far too dry in Styria, rain is eagerly awaited. The risk of fire is enormous, the authorities have been warning for days. Nevertheless, a pensioner in Weinitzen disposed of ash on his meadow, which is why the Florianis had to be called out to the fire on Sunday morning.

It is currently dry as dust in Styria! The sunshine is good for the soul, but not for the forests and meadows. It is not for nothing that the authorities have been warning of the high fire risk outdoors for days. A 79-year-old Styrian probably missed these warnings, or rather he didn't think much of it Sunday morning when he disposed of ashes on his property in Weinitzen - which is generally not a good idea. Shortly afterwards, a 70-square-meter meadow and the garbage stored there started to burn!

Not only that, but the boards of an adjacent hut also caught fire, according to the police. 47 firefighters from the Weinitzen-Oberschöckl and Rinnegg fire departments were alerted. Fortunately, they managed to bring the flames, which were raging in the impassable terrain, under control. 

This garbage should actually be disposed of properly

(Bild: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Rinnegg)

What also came to light in the course of the operation was that the pensioner was also facing criminal charges. The officers discovered an environmental sin on his property: He was storing old car batteries, used oil bottles and other items that he should have disposed of properly. He is now being investigated for environmental offenses.