A fine of 7,000 euros for a cigarette: Austria tightens its grip on fire hazards!
High temperatures are sweeping across the European continent, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in parts of France, Spain, and Italy in the coming days. Austria is also preparing for a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius by Friday. The ongoing drought is increasing the risk of wildfires across the continent, and Austria is now facing an increased threat in several areas.
From January to the end of July, around 160 forest fires were recorded in Austria, burning a total area of 56 hectares, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate Protection, Environment, and Water Management (BMLUK). Although the overall risk at the national level remains relatively low, some provinces face serious threats. Authorities have issued strict regulations for fire prevention, including a complete ban on lighting fires and smoking in or near forests.
The high-risk areas where the ban applies include the following: Burgenland: Güssing, Jennersdorf, Neusiedl am See, Mattersburg, Eisenstadt area, Oberpullendorf, Oberwart. Lower Austria: Bruck an der Leitha, Mödling, Baden, Neunkirchen, Gänserndorf, Hollabrunn, Horn, Melk, Mistelbach, Vösendorf an der Ybbs, Vösendorf an der Thaya, Gmünd, Scheibbs, Tulln, Kornburg, Lilienfeld, Krems an der Donau, Krems Stadt, St. Pölten, St. Pölten Stadt, Zwettl. Upper Austria: Kirchdorf, Vöcklabruck, Vöcklabruck Stadt, Eferding, Grieskirchen, Vöcklabruck, Gmunden, Steyr Land, City of Steyr, Rohrbach, Urfahr-Umgebung, Perg, Freistadt, Schärding, Braunau, Ried. Tyrol: Landeck, Imst, Kufstein. Styria: Voitsberg, Murau, Liezen, Murtal.
Violating these instructions may result in fines of up to €7,270 or even imprisonment for up to four weeks. Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig warned that more than 80% of forest fires are caused by human activity. He urged everyone spending time in forests to adhere to safety rules—avoid smoking, do not light fires, and follow all official instructions.
Authorities emphasize five golden rules for preventing forest fires: no smoking in forests, no lighting fires or barbecuing near them, handling fireworks and traditional fires with extreme caution, adhering to all fire prevention instructions in at-risk areas, and immediately reporting any forest fire by contacting emergency services at 122. As the heat wave intensifies and drought continues, authorities warn that a single spark could ignite a disaster.