Austria Wildfire Spreads Across 110 Hectares

Firefighters in Austria are battling a major forest fire in the south of the country, where flames have spread across an area equivalent to roughly 150 football pitches.

The blaze, which broke out on Thursday near the village of Maria Luggau close to the Italian border, remains under investigation, with the cause still unknown.

Emergency officials in the nearby town of Hermagor said strong winds and dry conditions have fueled the fire, allowing it to expand rapidly to around 110 hectares.

Authorities confirmed that the wildfire does not currently pose a direct threat to residents or property. However, firefighting operations remain challenging due to difficult terrain and shifting weather conditions.

Helicopters have been deployed to tackle the flames in steep and hard-to-reach areas, as crews work to contain the spread.

As a precaution, a nearby main road has been closed to traffic while emergency services continue their efforts to bring the blaze under control.