In tens of thousands of acres the areas already burned in its wake by the fire that broke out in the early hours of Saturday in the Melia area of ​​Alexandroupoli are estimated, while the losses in livestock and sheepfolds, in warehouses and infrastructure of the people in the primary sector – farmers and breeders – are also great, but and in farm equipment such as tractors.

This was stated by the head of the ELGA branch in Alexandroupoli (with responsibility also for the areas of Xanthi, Rodopi and Evros) speaking to APE-MPE. Dimitris Pantazisclarifying that in the areas where the fire has already passed – Nipsa, Amphitriti, Loutro, Aetochori, Pefka and in areas towards the area of ​​Feri – mainly sunflowers, vines, almonds and some mints and clovers are cultivated.

Regarding the livestock, he pointed out that so far he has reports that they were burned 500 hives in the aforementioned areas and 150 small animals such as goats, sheep and goats. According to data from the regional unit of Evros in Alexandroupolis, Ferres, Soufli and Samothraki, 15,716 cattle, 130,871 sheep and goats and 4,177 pigs are registered.

Describing the fire as “disastrous” for the primary sector in the region, Mr. Pantazis noted that farmers and breeders have already started submitting statements to ELGA and clarified that those who have been affected in terms of infrastructure and equipment will also receive compensation. He noted that the data cannot be ruled out to change from minute to minute or within the next few hours, as the fire extinguishing operation progresses, which due to the strong winds in the area is extremely difficult to control.

It is recalled that the Planning and Emergency Response Directorate of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection activated the European Copernicus service for the satellite recording of the burned areas and the damage caused by the great fire in Alexandroupolis.