Slovenia: Aerial efforts continue to douse hotspots above Srednji Vrh

Firefighting efforts are ongoing on a steep, inaccessible slope above Srednji Vrh in Slovenia, where smoldering hotspots continue to flare up. Kranj Gora firefighters, supported by a Slovenian Army helicopter and two air tractors, are working to contain the remaining embers on the challenging terrain.

Jožef Lavtižar, commander of the Kranj Gora Fire Brigade and head of the intervention, stated that two significant hotspots remain. "The essential thing is to soak the ground and stop the smoldering so it doesn't develop into a fire," Lavtižar explained. Due to the inaccessibility of the forest terrain for fire trucks, aerial firefighting is the primary method. The helicopter collects water from Lake Jasna, while the air tractors refuel at the Brnik airport base.

The fire was first detected and tackled early Friday morning on the slope of Beli peči, also known as Lep Vrh, in the Karavanke mountains. The area affected was approximately 150 by 200 meters. A lightning strike is the suspected cause. Rain overnight Friday helped extinguish most of the fire, but individual hotspots persisted.

An aerial survey using a drone on Monday afternoon revealed renewed burning in the area. Firefighters monitored the situation overnight and resumed extinguishing efforts on Tuesday. Several volunteer fire departments from the Kranj Gora municipality are also participating, along with mountain rescuers.

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The essential thing is to soak the ground and stop the smoldering so it doesn't develop into a fire.