In Slovenia, forest fires on the Karst Plateau near the Italian border are being fought.

This is reported by the Balkan Observer.

In the evening of July 20 some 1,000 firefighters and several airplanes were involved. Because of the threat, the population of several villages - about a hundred people - had to be evacuated and the fire came close to one village.

Unexploded munitions from World War I were an additional problem as the area saw heavy fighting between the Austro-Hungarian and Italian armies.

Colleagues from other parts of the country were moved to help the local firefighters so that they could be released to rest.

As of this morning, the spokesman for the firefighters reported that two active fires remained, but they were already under control and the fire was not spreading, RTVSLO reported. Part of the residents of the evacuated villages have returned home.

However, the outlook for July 21 is not positive, as there is a risk that the flames will spread again as the wind strengthens. The fire at the epicenter of the fire can only be extinguished by helicopters.

The inhabitants of the adjacent area are suffering from the fire. The smoke can be felt for many kilometers around, it makes visibility on the roads difficult and irritates the eyes and respiratory tract. Health authorities advised to stay at home and not to open windows.