A Large, Tsada Wildfire Fast-moving Wildfire In
A large, tsada wildfire fast-moving wildfire in the Tsada area of Paphos is nearing full extinguishment, according to authorities. Savvas Iezekiel, head of the forestry department, stated on Sunday evening, "We are heading towards putting out the fire and we are on the right track." Firefighters have been working tirelessly to bring the blaze under control.
- The cause of the fire will be investigated once it has been fully extinguished, as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
The fire ignited at 3:24 PM in a streambed that stretches between Tremithousa and Koili. It quickly spread due to a combination of dry vegetation and strong winds, prompting immediate action from local authorities.
The Fire Ignited At 3:24 Pm In
In response to the rapidly advancing flames, police closed several key roads, including the Polis Chrysochous–Paphos road near Stroumpi and the main Mesogi–Tsada road, to ensure public safety. Officers were deployed to manage traffic and assist in evacuation efforts.
Community leader Marios Ioannou described the urgency of the situation, noting that the fire was approaching houses within minutes of starting. Firefighters and civil defence crews were able to evacuate one resident who initially hesitated to leave his home. “Thanks to the immediate response of the fire brigade, the worst was averted,” Ioannou reported, confirming that neither the resident nor his property suffered damage.
The flames crept dangerously close to the church at Melissovouno, as reported by Michalakis Efthymiou, president of the Koili community council. Although an evacuation of Koili was considered, it was ultimately deemed unnecessary as officials assessed that local homes were not under direct threat.
The firefighting efforts saw local units from Paphos heavily reinforced by crews from Larnaca, Limassol, and Nicosia. Fire service spokesman Andreas Kettis mentioned that multiple agencies, including the forestry department, civil defence, and volunteer groups, collaborated in the battle against the flames. Aircraft were deployed under the national ‘Icarus 2’ plan, while fire chief Nikos Longinos coordinated efforts at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre as the national wildfire plan ‘Pyrsos’ was activated.
Despite the challenging terrain and dry conditions, firefighting crews concentrated on protecting homes from the advancing fire. The blaze burned through shrubland and wild vegetation, complicating ground efforts. Kettis confirmed that the focus remained on safeguarding residential areas throughout the afternoon.
The cause of the fire will be investigated once it has been fully extinguished, as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
