The fire broke out in the woods near Rue du Sanatorium and caused a significant amount of smoke which was immediately noticeable in the town. Photos sent in by RTL readers shows the smoke above the forest underneath Vianden’s cable car line.

Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and began by taking those people on the cable cars, on hiking routes, and at the viewpoint to safety. Afterwards, the firefighters required additional water to extinguish the fire.

As detailed in a CGDIS press release on Monday evening, providing water to firefighters was especially challenging, given the steep layout of the terrain. Extinguishing works were split into two sectors to facilitate the work.

By 5.30pm, the wildfire or vegetation fire was brought under control, according to the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps. However, firefighters were still at the scene to continue to extinguish any traces of the fire. Firefighters also used drones to examine the extent of the fire and to provide tactical aid on the ground.

The operation required around 70 firefighters from ten separate fire brigades from Vianden, Weiler, Tandel, Diekirch, Reisdorf, Lintgen, Ettelbruck, and Troisvierges. Luxembourg City and Berdorf firefighters were also at the scene with drones.