forest fires — Cyprus has issued a red alert for forest fires, indicating the highest risk level for Friday as factors such as soaring temperatures, very low humidity, and strong winds converge to create a dangerous environment for wildfires. The National Coordinator of Civil Protection, Fire Chief Nikos Longinos, has warned that Thursday may be one of the most hazardous days of the fire season, urging the public to exercise maximum caution.
Since the beginning of the year, over 1,350 fires have been recorded across the countryside, with humidity levels dropping below 20%. This alarming combination of heat, dryness, and wind greatly increases the likelihood of fires igniting, particularly in areas where the terrain can facilitate rapid spreading.
The elevated risk is expected to affect nearly the entire Republic of Cyprus. Longinos stated, “We need to be vigilant. The response mechanism is on heightened readiness to tackle incidents at an early stage, but no country can guarantee it will be able to contain every major fire.” He referenced the challenges faced by countries with more resources, like Canada, Spain, and France, in battling significant wildfires.
Longinos appealed to the public to refrain from any activities that could potentially cause sparks, emphasising that the consequences of negligence could be catastrophic. He indicated that the heightened risk will extend beyond Friday and persist until there are changes in weather patterns, particularly until rain arrives. Emergency services are prepared to respond swiftly to any incidents.
Reflecting on last summer’s fatal Limassol fire, Longinos noted that improvements have been made to the response mechanism since that tragic event. However, he acknowledged that there is still room for enhancements. He mentioned that comparative statistics for this year are still being finalised, but projections suggest that around 1,400 fires may occur in the countryside alone.
Longinos highlighted that over 94% of fires are attributed to human activities, urging citizens to be responsible and avoid actions that could ignite a blaze. The Forest Department has reiterated the importance of caution, reminding the public that causing a fire is an offence under both the Forestry Law and the Prevention and Suppression of Fires in the Countryside Law, which carry strict penalties.
In a proactive measure, the authorities encourage anyone who notices smoke or fire to report it immediately by calling 1407 (Forest Department) or 112 (Fire Service). The collaborative efforts of the community and emergency services will be vital in preventing and addressing potential outbreaks of fire as the summer progresses.
