Fires in ecosystems caused damage to the ecology of Odesa region by 23 billion

Since the beginning of the year, fires in the ecosystems of Odesa region have caused environmental damage that experts estimate at UAH 23 billion.

This was reported by the press service of the State Emergency Service, citing experts from the Environmental Inspectorate.

Since the beginning of the year, 18 such fires have occurred in Odesa region. Thus, the damage caused by the fire in the Lower Dniester National Nature Park in Odesa Oblast on March 18 was estimated at UAH 31 million 984 thousand.

On March 18, at 6:27 am, a fire broke out in the wetland vegetation near Bilyayivka in the Lower Dniester National Nature Park. Due to strong north and northwest winds, the fire quickly spread to the Bilyayivka and Mayakivska island areas. Employees of the State Emergency Service and police managed to localize the fire only at 14:30 the next day. However, the total area of the burned area amounted to 1,880 hectares.

As for the environment, environmentalists estimated the total environmental damage caused by the fire at UAH 125 million.

This was the second fire in this national park in a year, as in July 2024, the burning of dry vegetation in the Lower Dniester National Nature Park "Whispering Floodplains" led to the release of 285 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. At that time, state inspectors calculated the damage to the air to be almost UAH 886 million.

On February 23 and 24, a large-scale reed fire occurred in Odesa district, Odesa region, outside the village of Yasky. The reeds were burning in separate fires on a total area of 55 hectares. Almost 40 thousand tons of carbon dioxide were released into the air. State inspectors have calculated the amount of damage caused by the release of pollutants into the air. The amount of damage is almost UAH 144 million.

Кирило Бойко