Fire on Chios under control – Fire Brigade remains on full alert

The major fire that broke out on the islands of Chios early on Monday morning appears to be under control, with the Fire Brigade having managed to contain the major fronts.

The president of the local gum mastic growers association Giorgos Toumpos told To Vima that producers have suffered many losses, with nearly all mastic trees in the villages of Elata and Vessa having gone up in flames.

Mr. Toumpos also reported that about 12 tons of mastic, which amounts to 70% of production was destroyed by the fire. The villages of Olympi and Mesta, to the southwest of the island, have also suffered.

Despite managing to contain the fire, there are fears that the strong winds will fuel the fires that are still burning. As such, the Fire Brigades water bombers and helicopters remained on the island and began operating early on Tuesday morning.

The Minister of Agricultural Growth and Food Evangelos Apostolou and the President of the Greek Agricultural Insurance Organization (ELGA) Fanis Kourempes will visit the island to meet with local bodies and authorities, to assess the damages.