Kostanjevica na Krasu - The three Kras local communities that have been affected by the wildfire in the western region have launched a campaign to raise funds to restore 3,500 hectares of surfaces destroyed by the fire.

In a press release on Thursday the mayors of the municipalities Miren - Kostanjevica, Renče - Vogrsko and Komen noted that the most devastating fire in Slovenia's history destroyed nature and upset people's lives.

Firefighters from all over Slovenia and other countries have managed to save villages and houses, but the damage to forests, fields, vineyards, olive groves and tourism infrastructure is unimaginable. It will take decades for the nature and the villages to fully recover, they said.

In response to questions from the public who want to contribute to the restoration of Kras, the municipalities signed an agreement with a charity to raise donations via the charity's account with Banka Sparkasse (SI56 34000-1021587583, reference KRAS), or by text message with the keywords KRAS5 (EUR 5) and KRAS10 (EUR 10) to the telephone number 1919.

The website skupajzakras.si will be launched shortly, listing the items donated by well-known athletes, artists, winemakers and designers, which will be auctioned until the final charity event in early autumn.

Over the next months several clean-up campaigns will be organised to remove the plastic rubbish left behind at the fire site from water bombs to items such as plastic bottles.

The mayors promise that the funds will be used transparently based on a comprehensive restoration plan following a damage assessment, via a joint coordination centre of the three municipalities.

The rehabilitation plan, ecosystem restoration, and revival of agriculture and tourism will be carried out in cooperation with the Slovenian Forest Service and key representatives from the fields.