Advertisement

Smoking cigarettes in Austrian forests could cost you €7,270

Amanda Previdelli
Amanda Previdelli - [email protected]
Smoking cigarettes in Austrian forests could cost you €7,270
Why was the public banned from entering Austrian forests for over 100 years? Photo by Daniel J. Schwarz on Unsplash

In Lower Austria, smoking in or near forests is now forbidden as a way to avoid fires in the dryer than usual woods.

Advertisement

A new ordinance published in 14 districts, with more to come, in Lower Austria has set a €7,270 fine for people caught smoking in or near forests in the region. 

The districts have a dangerous combination: drought weather and dry woods, with several forest fires occurring in recent days, Lower Austria's Stephan Pernkopf (ÖVP) said in a press release.

READ MORE: 'Waldeinsamkeit' in Austria: Five peaceful forest walks near Vienna

"Forest fires are a danger to humans and animals. In addition, the flames cause enormous economic damage and endanger the diverse functions that the forest provides for our society. The recent forest fires could be quickly brought under control thanks to the dedicated commitment of our fire brigades. Still, due to the current situation, we must be cautious and protect our forest," Pernkopf stated.

The ordinances issued prohibit smoking and igniting fires in or near the forest. A violation of the rules will result in administrative penalties of up to €7,270 or four-week imprisonment, even if it has not (yet) caused a fire. 

The rules are currently in place for Amstetten, Baden, Gänserndorf, Hollabrunn, Horn, Korneuburg, Melk, Mistelbach, Mödling, Neunkirchen, St. Pölten, Tulln, Waidhofen an der Thaya and Wr. Neustadt. Similar ordinances are being prepared in Gmünd, Krems, and Zwettl.

READ MORE: IN PICTURES: Sahara dust covers Austria in sepia

Forest fires

The country has been particularly hit by forest fires as dry weather continues.  

Advertisement

In a typical March, Austria receives around 150 to 200 litres of rain per square metre, according to a report in the Kronen Zeitung. But this year, the rainfall doesn't even come close to the seasonal average.

As a result, the dry forest floor had already been burning in Ausserfern in the district of Reutte in Tyrol near the border with Bavaria. 

Forest fires have also been reported in Carinthia, where water from firefighting efforts froze overnight, leading to an ice desert in Burgstallberg in the Spittal/Drau District.

Additionally, the water level at Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland was also below the typical seasonal levels, and groundwater levels in Carinthia, southern Styria and southern Burgenland were low for the time of year.

However, according to ZAMG, low rainfall in March and April has been typical in Austria since the 2000s.

Useful vocabulary

Wald - forest

Strafe - fine

Waldbrandverordnung - forest fire ordinance

Trockenheit - dryness

Rauchen - smoking

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also