Based on the public call issued in January to citizens for the implementation of preventive fire protection measures under the KARST-SAFE project, and the evaluation of the received proposals, we concluded a public procurement procedure in April 2025 for the supply of the proposed equipment for fire prevention activities. The most favorable bidder in the tender was the company Ago Štern, which delivered most of the equipment to the municipality on June 10 and 11, 2025, with a total value of just under EUR 100,000.
The equipment was collected on the same day by livestock farmers who had successfully applied to the January call. These farmers committed to establishing 94.2 hectares of new grazing land, either by expanding existing pastures or creating entirely new ones in the Municipality of Sežana. The establishment of the new grazing areas must be completed by the end of this year, and maintenance must continue for at least five more years. This requirement was already specified in the terms of the public call for preventive fire protection measures.
This measure will ensure greater fire safety around villages in the Karst region, as the majority of the pastures are located near village areas. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funds, we were unable to implement other measures, such as the clearing of overgrown land around villages. However, we are hopeful that new projects will allow us to continue implementing preventive measures in the Karst to enhance fire safety for our citizens.
We would also like to express our gratitude to all the farmers who graze livestock on the increasingly overgrown Karst terrain. By doing so, they help preserve cultivated land, which significantly reduces the risk of wildfires spreading across the Karst.
