The destruction of the mastic tree crops in the villages of Elata, Vessa and Lithio is almost complete after the big fire in Chios.
The president of the Mastic Producers Association, G. Toumpos, talks about a disaster that exceeds 90% in the specific villages.
The damage to Olympus, Mesta and the area between Vessa and Agios Georgios Sykousis is also significant.
"It simply came to our notice then. We are talking about total destruction in some cases. We will see today together with the president of ELGA and the minister of Rural Development the magnitude of the disaster "said Mr. Toumpos on the local website politischios.gr.
Fire in recession, fears of resurgence
Throughout the night, firefighters, soldiers and volunteers battled the blaze.
On Tuesday, the fire fronts are in recession, but there is a strong fear of resurgence, as the outbreaks are scattered and the intensity of the wind is constantly changing.
According to the mayor of Chios, Manolis Vournou, the burned area is about 35.000 acres. As he noted "the fire will be completely extinguished by the afternoon, if the weather helps and the low intensity winds that are blowing at the moment are maintained".
103 firefighters with 34 vehicles, 53 pedestrians, 15 municipal vehicles, 40 volunteers and 30 soldiers are still fighting the flames. With the first light of day, water drops from the air began, from two aircraft and three helicopters.
The main problem is located in the forest area between Vessa and Armolia, an area that had already been burned by the big fire of August 2012.
The forces attempting to extinguish the fire were reorganized and at the meeting of the Coordinating Body for Civil Protection, emphasis was placed on the division of responsibilities between the bodies, but also on the opening of rural roads and fire zones in the area between Vessa and Armolia.
The plan envisages the complete control of all fires, small and large, as well as the splashing of all burned areas in order to eliminate the possibility of re-ignition before the fire brigade located on Chios from other parts of Greece leaves the island.
Letter from Kalogirou to Skourleti-Apostolou
Meanwhile, an urgent letter to the Ministers of Environment and Energy Pano Skourletis and Rural Development and Food Vangelis Apostolou with proposals for immediate action to address the problems caused by the fire was sent on Tuesday by the Regional Governor of the North Aegean, Christiana Kalogi.
Apart from the technical issues included in the letter, which concern protection and restoration actions, Ms. Kalogirou emphasizes the urgent need to address the consequences immediately for the agricultural production and the income of the farmers, especially the cattle breeders of Chios, while proposing special measures for support for mastic producers.
The North Aegean Region proceeded to the establishment and activation of the committee provided by law for the recording of the damages caused by the fire in Chios.
Source: news.in.gr