Two years after Slovenia's southwest region of Kras was hit by a devastating wildfire, efforts to restore the forests are in full swing, firefighters have obtained new gear and the country now has its own firefighting aircraft.

The disastrous fire, which broke out in July 2022, destroyed 3,700 hectares of land in Kras, including 2,900 hectares of forests, in 17 days.

The Miren-Kostanjevica municipality was among the worst hit. It is planning the construction of four new fire hydrants in areas where helipads can be set up in case of fire. The €80,000 investment is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to Mayor Mauricij Humar.

The nearby municipalities of Komen and Renče-Vogrsko are planning to put in fire hydrants as well.

Miren-Kostanjevica has also renovated damaged roads, spending nearly €260,000. According to Humar, they are paying special attention to areas near roads and trails, where trees could endanger passers-by.

One of the main challenges for the region is improving water supply. They hope to build new water supply lines between different settlements as part of a project for the water supply of Kras and the Slovenian coast. This would also provide water in sufficient volumes and at pressure high enough in case of fire.

They are also hoping to build more forest roads and create fire breaks, but most often land ownership issues stall the process, Humar said.

Most forests to recover naturally

Around 45 hectares of the 2,900 hectares of the forests destroyed in the fire have been restored.

Most forest restoration was done in state-owned and municipality-owned forests, which is why this year efforts will focus more on private forests.

The Slovenia Forest Service expects that around 2,000 hectares of forests to recover naturally, mostly broadleaf forests.

Conifer forests will require more help and trees will have to be planted or sowed on around 900 hectares.

Some €450,000 has already been invested into the rehabilitation of forests, including €288,500 from the national budget and €110,000 from donations.

For the long-term comprehensive restoration not limited to forests, around €12 million is earmarked, the Agriculture, Forestry and Food Ministry said.

The humanitarian initiative Together for Kras, launched by the three municipalities affected by the fire, is still active and has collected more than €320,000 for forest restoration. Its volunteers have planted over 30,000 trees and are developing a 100 km hiking trail connecting several Slovenian and Italian municipalities.

New waterbombing equipment

At the time of the fire, Slovenia did not have its own firefighting aircraft and had to rely on help from other countries.

The government has since decided to buy four Air Tractors. Two are already in Slovenia and another two are expected shortly.

The country also purchased two Spartan transport aircraft, which are set to be upgraded with a firefighting module next year.

The Air Tractors can transport up to 3,000 litres of water, which is a substantial upgrade on the helicopters, which can transport between 500 and 1,000 litres, the Defence Ministry said. The planes are stationed at Ljubljana Airport and can reach any part of Slovenia in 20 minutes.

However, it will take a few years for Slovenia's air firefighting unit to be fully independent, the ministry said, adding that establishing a new service requires infrastructure and training.

This summer the aircraft are being operated by foreign pilots, while the ministry expects to have four Slovenian pilots ready to operate the Air Tractors by the end of the year.

The Slovenian Firefighters Association believes firefighters are well equipped. The association is paying close attention to training and improving the chain of command. They have also increased the number of wild-land firefighting courses.