Forest fire in Austria: These are the facts

For days, helicopters of the Austrian Armed Forces have been helping to fight the forest fire in the Rax area of Lower Austria. The air force teams have already dropped nearly four million liters of water. Together with helpers from Austria and abroad, they are preventing the fires from spreading.

Here we answer the most common questions about this operation:

How many helicopters does the Austrian Armed Forces have in operation?

The Austrian Armed Forces have up to six helicopters in operation daily.

Which helicopter types are assisting in Hirschwang?

So far, there have been two S-70 "Black Hawk" helicopters, two Agusta Bell 212, and two "Alouette" III. These helicopter types can transport varying amounts of extinguishing water.

How many helicopters does the Austrian Armed Forces have in total?

The air force has several dozen helicopters, not all of which are suitable for fighting forest fires. New Leonardo AW169M helicopters are being procured, and three more S-70 "Black Hawk" helicopters are also on their way.

Why aren't more Austrian Armed Forces helicopters deployed, and where are the remaining helicopters?

The deployment matches the demand requested by civilian authorities.

According to the plan, one-third of the respective fleets are always in maintenance. This ensures sustainability.

Additional helicopters are kept ready or are deployed in foreign missions with EUFOR soldiers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The "Black Hawk" fleet is currently undergoing modifications, with one aircraft completed and two more in the modification process.

Do Army aircraft also fly during the forest fire operation?

Yes, a PC-6 aircraft is also used in the operation. It has an infrared camera that can quickly detect hotspots. The images are transmitted in real-time to the forces and helicopters, allowing targeted firefighting efforts.

Who else has helped or is helping besides the Austrian Armed Forces?

In addition to the Austrian Armed Forces, helicopters from the Ministry of the Interior and two CH-53 helicopters from the German Air Force are assisting. Temporary support was also provided by two firefighting aircraft from Italy, as well as one helicopter from Slovakia and one from a civilian aviation company.

Why is international assistance needed at all?

This is primarily a decision of the civilian authorities. Larger helicopters or aircraft can transport more water in one lift. The operational space is restricted, so fewer flights mean less air traffic and increase flight safety.

Will the material/helicopter situation in the Austrian Armed Forces improve in the future?

Yes, with the arrival of 18 new Leonardo AW169M and three new S-70 "Black Hawk" helicopters, the air force will be able to handle more tasks.

What is the extinguishing capacity of the new Leonardo AW169M?

The new helicopters can transport water tanks with 1,500 liters. This is three times the amount an "Alouette" III can carry.

How many flight hours did the Austrian Armed Forces helicopters accumulate during this operation?

As of November 1, 2021, a total of 224 flight hours were flown by the air vehicles of the Austrian Armed Forces, dropping 3.8 million liters of water.

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