PHOTOS: Hungary battles largest outdoor fire of the year, huge damage

Efforts to extinguish the largest outdoor fire of the year in Hungary continue as firefighters and support teams work around the clock near Csönge. The blaze, which has raged for four days, has prompted the allocation of a HUF 10 billion restoration fund to aid those whose forests have been ravaged by fire, drought, or pests.

Hungary’s largest outdoor fire in 2024

The fire, which ignited on Thursday in Vas County, has spread from agricultural lands into forested areas. Current reports indicate that the fire has affected around 1,000 hectares, including approximately 400 hectares of private forest, Világgazdaság reports.

On Sunday, around 300 people were involved in the firefighting efforts, including 30 staff members from Szombathelyi Erdészeti Plc., the local state forestry company. They provided vital support with their knowledge of the area, off-road vehicles, manual labour, and water tankers. The Hungarian Armed Forces, local forestry teams, and volunteers have also joined the effort to combat the blaze.

Forest restoration to take 10 years

Damage assessments will begin only after the fire is fully contained. The Ministry of Agriculture has indicated that forest restoration could take up to ten years. To assist in the recovery, the ministry has introduced a HUF 10 billion grant program for those impacted by the fires, drought, or biological threats.