forest fire — The decision to move forest fire fighters under the interior ministry has sparked significant criticism from various quarters. MPs at the House agriculture committee voiced their concerns on Tuesday, stating that the transfer lacks supporting studies and was made without proper consultation.
Committee chairman and Akel MP Yiannakis Gavriel highlighted that the decision has met with widespread opposition from scientists and officials alike. He remarked, “All the scientists, all the officials object to the decision and the government does not have any study in front of it that justifies the Cabinet’s decision,” calling the move “unbelievable.” This announcement comes on the heels of public scrutiny regarding the government’s handling of responsibilities following the Limassol wildfires in July.
Gavriel warned that transferring responsibilities from the forestry department could lead to dire circumstances reminiscent of Greece’s past. In 1998, Greece shifted wildfire responsibilities from its forestry department to its fire services, which resulted in a significant reduction in forest rangers while increasing the number of fire fighting personnel. Critics argue that this shift led to a reactive approach towards wildfires, prioritising response over prevention.
In defence of the decision, Agriculture ministry director general Andreas Gregoriou stated that the move would create two new positions: the general director of civil protection and a national coordinator, with the latter set to be appointed in 2026. He assured that the transfer of responsibilities was under review by a working group that had convened twice in recent weeks, aiming for all decisions to be implemented before the new fire season begins in April 2026.
Elikkos Elia, the interior ministry’s director-general, stressed that this change is not intended to downgrade the forestry department, insisting it would not adversely affect current employees. He described the reform as part of the creation of a National Civil Protection Mechanism, co-funded by the European Union.
However, dissenting voices within the forestry department are growing louder. Forestry department director Savvas Ezekiel expressed his discontent over the planned reform, noting that 314 fires were recorded in 2025 with an extinguishing rate of 90-92 per cent, marking “the best performance in the eastern Mediterranean.” He cautioned that moving fire protection away from overall forest management could disrupt the ecosystem and lead to severe consequences.
Concerns about the reform were echoed by Antonis Sarris, a representative for forestry department employees. He pointed out the absence of studies or expertise to justify the changes, asserting that the forestry department effectively manages state forests. Sarris highlighted that most fires occur in rural areas, which are not the department’s responsibility. He argued that reorganising these responsibilities could undermine a department that is already functioning efficiently. “Weakening the forest department will worsen the situation,” he cautioned.
Agricultural organisations, including Pek, Eka, and Panagrotikos, have also expressed alarm over the potential consequences of the reform. They warned that it could delay responses during critical early hours of a fire. These groups have called for President Nikos Christodoulides to review the proposal immediately, emphasising that cooperation with civil protection could be enhanced through alternative means.
The transfer of fire service and forest protection staff from the forestry department was officially proposed in mid-September as part of a broader initiative to integrate crisis management services in Cyprus under the interior ministry.
