"Do not park on dry grass"

Extreme heat and heightened wildfire danger continue to grip Slovenia, with temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees Celsius and dry conditions creating a volatile environment for both nature and human activity. Authorities have issued urgent warnings to residents and visitors, emphasizing the need for caution in natural areas due to the increased risk of fires. The Mestna občina Maribor has specifically highlighted the dangers of smoking, discarding cigarette butts, and leaving glass bottles in open spaces, all of which could spark wildfires under current conditions. Additionally, the local government has advised against parking vehicles on dry grass or other surfaces where hot engine parts might ignite nearby vegetation. The situation has prompted a significant number of reports from citizens, particularly within the Police Department of Nova Gorica. From July 8, 2026, to the present day, police have received 47 fire-related reports, including 27 incidents suspected to involve wildfires in natural areas. However, authorities stress that not all these reports confirm actual violations or confirmed fires. Despite this, the police continue their routine monitoring of compliance with regulations related to the declared high fire hazard, taking appropriate action when necessary. The declaration of extreme fire danger has been extended across several regions in Slovenia. Starting from July 30, 2026, the highest level of fire danger was announced for areas including Koper, Sežana, Divača, Hrpelje-Kozina, Komen, Nova Gorica, Miren-Kostanjevica, and Renče-Vogrsko. In all other municipalities across the country, a high level of fire danger has been declared. This means that open flames are prohibited in natural environments, and certain maintenance activities involving heavy machinery are restricted due to the potential for sparks. The Agency for Environment of the Republic of Slovenia (Arso) has noted that the current conditions make wildfires extremely dangerous. Once ignited, fires can spread rapidly through dry vegetation, affecting tree canopies over large areas. These fires consume vast amounts of organic fuel, and even normally moist areas can become engulfed. Controlling such fires requires immense effort and resources, highlighting the severity of the situation. In addition to the challenges faced in Slovenia, Europe as a whole is grappling with severe wildfires. In Greece, two people died after fires broke out near the island of Salamis, prompting emergency evacuations and rescue operations. In Spain, a soldier lost his life while fighting a forest fire in Aragon, with regional authorities deploying the largest firefighting arsenal in the region's history. Belgium is dealing with a record-breaking fire that has forced partial evacuations and required military helicopters to assist in containment efforts. Portugal is also experiencing intense firefighting operations, with multiple fires threatening communities and causing injuries among firefighters. Croatia has arrested four individuals suspected of starting fires along its coast, which have already devastated pine forests and olive groves. Meanwhile, in southern France, a fire that burned 1,700 hectares has been brought under control following three days of ground and aerial operations. Local authorities have allowed some evacuated residents to return home as weather conditions have improved slightly. Across Slovenia, firefighters have been actively responding to numerous smaller fires throughout the weekend. Incidents included burning brush in Kočevje, a fire at a compost pile in Stropnik, and damage to a house facade in Dobovec. Fires were also reported in various locations across Nova Gorica, Straža, and other areas. Firefighters have worked tirelessly to contain these incidents, often returning to the same location multiple times due to recurring flare-ups. Despite the ongoing threat, there is hope for relief as meteorologists predict rainfall on Monday, which could help alleviate the dry conditions. However, today’s forecast indicates possible thunderstorms in northern Slovenia, with more widespread showers expected on Monday afternoon. While this could offer some respite, the immediate future remains uncertain, with the continued presence of extreme heat and fire danger posing significant risks to both the environment and public safety.