Having surveyed the section of railway line between the villages of Črnotice and Hrastovje, where fire outbreaks are very common, Slovenian Railways have decided to carry out initial anti-fire measures in the village of Podpeč.

According to Igor Baša from the Železnica Infrastruktura company, jetted concrete will be laid on the lower part of the slopes, starting 400 metres before the village and finishing 460 metres after the end of the village. Sparks and flaming parts, caused by friction in the train chassis, will no longer land in grass but on concrete and in drain canals, preventing fire hazard.

The measure of jetting up to a 10-centimetre-thick layer of concrete is new. The solution has been designed as permanent but may also be removed if necessary. The Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure has reserved EUR 100,000 to adopt urgent measures. There are several other critical areas by the railway line that runs under the Karst Edge, a dry grassy area prone to fire outbreaks.

"We hope at least to double the length of the fireproof area by the railway line – compared to the first section that will be covered by the end of November – as soon as a new budget is approved early next year," added Baša.

According to Slovenian Railways, the decision for this approach had been reached in talks with the local communities as well as the fire brigades. Both emphasized that this should not be the only fire-prevention measure introduced by the railway line.

Tjaša Škamperle, Radio Koper; translated by K. Z.