Overview
- The fire broke out Wednesday night and the bird warden’s stilted hut burned down while crews contained burning grass so the blaze did not spread across the island.
- The 33-year-old bird warden alerted authorities, moved to the island’s north tip and was rescued by the DGzRS seenotretter before being taken to hospital with suspected smoke inhalation.
- Access problems forced authorities to use a Bundeswehr/Marineflieger helicopter to fly nine firefighters to Trischen who fought smoldering embers mechanically because hose and pump equipment could not be brought ashore.
- Police and local fire officials estimate material damage at about €300,000 and say roughly 350 square metres of grassland burned while wider vegetation damage was prevented.
- Investigators have opened inquiries into the cause of the fire and officials say the ecological impact on nesting and resting birds is still unclear and will need field assessment in the coming days.