Massive fines for illegal fireworks planned
Austrian police have advised that any New Years revellers who use illegal fireworks face fines of up to €3,500 if caught.
In addition to the fines, police have banned fireworks completely from some parts of Austria.
Due to severe drought conditions, Klagenfurt has an outright ban in the city area. All districts of Carinthia have also prohibited the lighting of fires, especially in areas near forest, due to the lack of rain.
Some districts of Tyrol have banned rockets and bangers, especially near woods. The Innsbruck city authorities have also issued a ban on certain larger or more dangerous types of fireworks.
Vorarlberg has also issued its own ban on rockets.
As a general policy, fire authorities have warned about illegal bangers, with between 50 and 80 grams of gunpowder, as being of special concern.
"This level develops a blasting force, which is very similar to the effect of a military hand grenade", warned the provincial fire commander of Lower Austria.
Legal fireworks normally use between 5 and 8 grams.
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