In statements to the Lusa news agency, Bruno Cordeiro, president of the National Association of Churra da Terra Quente Sheep Breeders, stated that the fire destroyed pastures, and regrowth is expected only around March, dependent on rainfall.
“Unfortunately, shepherds have no feed for the animals. Currently, all feeding is done through mangers. This indigenous sheep breed is raised extensively and traditionally grazes on pasture, which creates a very distressing situation,” said the livestock producer.
According to Cordeiro, the Churra da Terra Quente is entirely fed on natural pastures, which were consumed by the fires.
“The impact [of the fire] on the local economy is severe, and I believe many shepherds will abandon this livestock activity due to rising and high production costs, which make it very costly to feed the animals for about half the year, at best,” admitted Cordeiro.
The official, representing the 127 breeders of this national sheep producers’ association, is calling for government assistance, “because it is unsustainable to keep the animals penned.”
“Some municipalities are helping the producers, but it’s not enough,” he stressed.
This sheep breed population, approximately 11,500 head, is distributed across municipalities such as Torre de Moncorvo, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, and Mogadouro, which were affected by fires on August 15. However, the animals also spread to Vila Flor, Mirandela, Carrazeda de Ansiães, and Alfândega da Fé, municipalities that also suffered from recent fires, impacting the agricultural potential of the area.
The fire in Douro Internacional broke out mid-afternoon on August 15 in Poiares, in the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, quickly spreading to neighboring municipalities Torre de Moncorvo and Mogadouro in the Bragança district, leaving a trail of destruction in pastures and crops such as olive groves, almond trees, vineyards, orange groves, forests, and beehives.
According to provisional data from the GNR, 12,000 hectares burned in the municipalities of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Torre de Moncorvo, and Mogadouro, in a fire that involved about 400 operatives in the field without aerial resources due to prevailing weather conditions.
Provisional national report data from the Forest Fire Information Management System (SIGF) accessed by Lusa indicates that up to August 24, 11,697 hectares have burned in Freixo de Espada à Cinta.
