Northern Cyprus ready for summer fires: 87 vehicles and 555 staff on 24/7 duty

Today, April 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM, a demonstration of emergency readiness for potential fires took place at the Atatürk Stadium parking lot in Nicosia. The event was coordinated by the Civil Defense Organization, the Fire Department, and the Forestry Department.

Hakan Balaban, Chairman of the Civil Defense Organization, announced that 87 vehicles and 555 personnel are deployed for fire fighting on a round-the-clock basis. Balaban emphasized that due to rising temperatures and summer dryness, the risk of fires increases significantly, making preparation and preventive measures just as vital as rapid response.

The demonstration showcased the available resources and capabilities of the services; organizers noted a high level of inter-agency coordination. Voluntary search and rescue organizations also participated: the Cyprus Search and Rescue Association (KARK), the Civil Emergency Teams Association (SAT), the Turkish Cypriot Search and Rescue Association (KTAK), and the Disaster Search and Rescue Association (DAAK).

Residents of Northern Cyprus are advised to follow simple fire safety rules: do not burn stubble or dry vegetation, do not discard cigarette butts in nature, and avoid other careless actions that could lead to ignition. According to Balaban, the goal of the event is to transparently show the readiness of the services and strengthen public confidence in safety.