Cyprus Introduces Fire Prevention Measures for Mountain Villages

The Forestry Department of the Republic of Cyprus has announced a range of measures aimed at strengthening fire prevention and curbing the spread of wildfires. As part of these efforts, a “protective ring” will be created around at-risk areas.

According to the department, a rise in the number of fires is expected this year due to the abandonment of rural areas, climate change, and the accumulation of combustible materials, worsened by prolonged droughts and lack of rainfall.

“Mountainous and semi-mountainous forest communities are particularly vulnerable, with a heightened risk of large fires that pose a threat to human lives, infrastructure, and the environment,” the statement warns.

The new measures will be part of the “Vegetation Management to Protect Forests and Parasitic Communities from Fires” program.

To reduce the risk of fire outbreaks, the focus will be on minimizing the accumulation of flammable materials in state-owned forests and within a two-kilometer radius of their borders.

The Ministry will be in charge of implementing the measures within state forests, while local authorities will oversee their enforcement in areas outside of the forests.

Last year, Cyprus experienced several devastating wildfires, resulting in the loss of over 3,300 hectares of land and the evacuation of residents. The worst-hit area was Paphos, where a fire in June caused significant damage to nearly twenty homes.

Typically, the peak of the fire season in Cyprus begins in late April and lasts for four to five months.