(ANSA) - Rome, August 31 - Alessandra Mussolini, granddaughter of Fascist dictator Benito, said Thursday she would visit a pine forest spelling out DUX that was recently burned down by a wildfire.

Rightist pol Mussolini said she would speak to local authorities about repairing her grandfather's Latin tag (meaning 'Leader').

Mussolini rejected a report that people burning tomatoes had accidentally set the forest on fire.

"Yes, the fire was caused by Reds, but not tomatoes," she said.

The forest on Mt Giano near Rieti was planted by forestry students in honour of Il Duce in 1939 and later declared a natural monument.

The far-right CasaPound group has already said it would restore the Duce's monicker.

