Video: Major Forest Fire Erupts Near Wiener Neustadt, Austria as Residents Evacuated
A major forest fire has erupted near Wiener Neustadt in Lower Austria, sending a massive column of smoke into the sky and triggering a large-scale emergency response on Friday.
The fire broke out in the Föhrenwald pine forest near St. Egyden am Steinfeld, between the Wiener Neustadt and Neunkirchen districts.
Authorities have activated the highest B4 fire alarm level, with more than 30 fire brigades reported to be involved in the operation.
The situation has prompted authorities to begin evacuating residents from nearby residential areas, while emergency crews work to prevent the flames from spreading further.
A huge plume of dark smoke can be seen from several kilometers away.
The latest blaze comes only days after firefighters extinguished another major forest fire in the same area that burned approximately 100 hectares.
The exact size and cause of the new fire remain under investigation.
This is a developing story.
