Two years after the western region of Kras was hit by the most devastating blaze in the country's history, a large wildfire broke out on 18 July in nearly the same area, prompting a national response involving multiple aircraft and dozens of fire brigades.

The fire broke out in the morning on Mount Trstelj, a 643-metre peak some ten kilometres southeast of Nova Gorica, spreading across some 120 hectares of forest, according to the Forest Service.

Simon Vendarin, the commander of the Nova Gorica fire brigade, who heads the response, said 70 fire brigades are fighting what are actually two fires which could merge into one.

Mount Trstelj is the tallest peak in a chain called the Black Hills. Topped by a TV broadcasting tower, it is a popular hiking spot.

Two years ago, its western and northern slopes were devastated in a wildfire that engulfed 3,700 hectares of mostly forest. Now the fire broke out in the vicinity.

The Civil Protection and Rescue Administration said that the entire hill was on fire, with the flames spreading in the direction of Nova Gorica, some ten kilometres northwest.

The goal for today is to limit the fire despite a forecast of a strong bora wind, said Vendramin, adding that the efforts will take at least a few days. After the fire is put out, the area will have to be monitored for a while.

The bora is not expected to ease up before Saturday night, but the area might see some rain Friday night, meteorologist Andrej Velkavrh told the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

Slovenia is at the tail end of a two-week heat wave and there has been very little rainfall in the region, known for arid conditions. A high risk of wildfires was declared for the entire Primorska region, which includes Kras, two days ago.

Air Tractors deployed for the first time

In addition to the firefighters on the ground, two military choppers and two Air Tractor aircraft are helping put out the flames from the air. This is the first time that the aircraft, purchased after the 2022 wildfire, have been deployed.

Another military helicopter is helping coordinate the air campaign. In the morning, two police helicopters were helping out.

The fire was only some 100 metres away from a lodge on Mount Trstelj, the lodge keeper told the STA, but the firefighters managed to save it. Meanwhile, the TV tower is currently not in danger, the STA learnt from the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija.

A small flock of sheep has been evacuated from the area. The local electric grid and a transnational connection have been disconnected, according to Vendramin and the regional civil protection HQ.

Defence Ministry State Secretary Damir Črnčec said the ministry would provide logistical support to the units on the ground, starting with food. A hundred troops are on standby.

The Air Tractors, which are taking water from the Gulf of Trieste, have shown that they are capable of preventing a fire from spreading in a short period of time, Črnčec said.

As Slovenian pilots are still training to fly the Air Tractors, the two aircraft are flown by Italian and Spanish pilots, Civil Protection Commander Srečko Šestan said.

The fire has caused road closures on and around Mount Trstelj and people are strongly advised to stay away from the fire.