cyprus fires — cyprus fires — Fire incidents in Cyprus have tragically claimed ten lives in the past year, prompting the Cyprus Fire Service to bolster its firefighting capabilities ahead of the summer season. In 2025, the Fire Service responded to a staggering 13,401 incidents, including 7,154 fires, as revealed by Fire Service Chief Nikos Longinos during a recent presentation of the service’s annual figures.
Cyprus fires: Rural Areas Face Coverage Challenges
Longinos highlighted a concerning coverage gap in rural and mountainous regions, where 5,171 call-outs occurred during the night hours when rural stations are closed, specifically between 7 pm and 8 am. Out of these, 1,180 were fire-related incidents. He emphasised the need for rural stations to operate 24/7 to ensure timely responses during critical situations.
Increase in Fire Incidents
The year saw a rise in fire incidents, with urban fires increasing by 4.31% and rural fires by 8.81% compared to 2024. The total area affected by fires in the countryside reached 133.46 square kilometres, with the Nicosia district accounting for the highest number of call-outs across the island.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
In addition to managing fires, the Fire Service undertook 2,307 special assistance calls, rescuing 1,959 individuals. However, the year also witnessed 307 injuries and 41 fatalities, with ten of those deaths resulting from fire incidents—nine in Limassol and one in Nicosia.
Preparing for the Summer Fire Season
As Cyprus braces for the anticipated summer fire season, the Fire Service is set to deploy 13 aircraft, including a newly acquired addition. Two more aircraft are expected to arrive in the next two years. Alongside aerial support, the service plans to collaborate with registered private drone operators to enhance fire monitoring and detection capabilities. Sensors have already been installed at 13 industrial sites and four forested areas.
Ongoing Improvements and Infrastructure Upgrades
In a bid to improve response times and effectiveness, the Fire Service is actively recruiting permanent staff and upgrading its fleet with new fire engines. Additionally, smoke detection systems are being installed across various sites. Infrastructure enhancements include modernising the Ayia Napa station and reinforcing rural stations at Pachna and Eftagonia, along with plans to demolish and rebuild the Larnaca station.
Investment in Incident Management
The Fire Service’s unified operational coordination centre at its Lakatamia headquarters has received approximately €6.2 million in funding from the EU’s Thalia 2021–2027 Cohesion Fund. This centre is crucial for supporting island-wide incident management and coordination efforts, aiming to streamline responses to emergencies.
Fire Safety Inspections Reveal Compliance Issues
Fire safety inspections conducted in 2025 have raised alarms about compliance, particularly in entertainment venues where 53% were rated unsatisfactory. Industrial units fared even worse, with 73.75% failing to meet safety standards. Longinos has called for immediate action from owners and relevant authorities, especially as many industrial spaces have been converted into worker accommodations.
