A meeting on fire prevention—based on meteorological data and the forecast that the coming days are expected to be challenging due to high temperatures and a heat wave— was convened for next Tuesday by Fire Service Chief Nikos Loginos, in his capacity as national fire coordinator.

This was stated to KYPE on Saturday by the Fire Service’s Press Spokesperson, Andreas Kettis, told KYPE on Saturday, adding that the purpose of the meeting—which will take place at 8:15 a.m. at Fire Service Headquarters, at the Coordination Center, with the participation of all relevant agencies, both government and non-government, “is to decide on the emergency measures we must take, based on meteorological data and the forecast that the coming days are expected to be difficult due to high temperatures and a heat wave.”

“The Fire Department has done enough to focus heavily on fire prevention and to be prepared for any incident,” he emphasized.

“Essentially, the damage that a major fire can cause is very minimal, in terms of cost, when you focus on prevention,” he added.

He noted that by 2026, the Fire Department had responded to 1,350 fires, of which more than 10% “could have turned into very serious fires.”

He noted that a large percentage of fires are caused by negligence and urged the public “not to underestimate any activity they engage in,” such as, among other things, discarding cigarette butts, intentional burning (such as clearing brush), outdoor work, hot tools, and littering, which can serve as a source of ignition. He added that some thoughtless people even set fire to the trash they discard.   

“Given the current environmental conditions, it is very easy for a fire to start and spread,” he emphasized. 

Mr. Kettis said that some fires are not accidental but malicious, and he called on the public to provide information, to be vigilant, observe their surroundings, and notify the relevant authorities of any suspicious activity. 

He also noted that managing a fire is by no means easy, and that factors such as the moisture content of the combustible material and the atmosphere play a role, but most importantly, the quantity and type of flammable material, the terrain, and the winds.

Mr. Kettis told CNA that “a very important measure provided to us by the Ministry of the Interior is the provision of earthmovers and water tankers, with a budget of over €1.2 million,” which are on standby at strategic locations in the districts of Larnaca, Limassol, and Paphos.

“The use of these earthmovers during a fire and the water tanker for water supply is crucial for suppressing the fire and creating firebreaks to contain it, as well as for clearing paths for foot patrols and motorized equipment so they can intervene a fire,” he added.

He noted that the Fire Department has already put into operation the National Operations Coordination Center, which was established and equipped with European funding, amounting to €6.5 million, equipped with state-of-the-art machinery.

He also said that through the Ministry of Justice and Public Order “we are in the process of receiving 10 water supply tanks, each with a capacity of 56,000 liters, which will be placed in areas that are not near the sea or water barriers so that “we can be closer to the fire.”

He also noted that fire prevention teams have been established this year, staffed by professional firefighters, as part of an investment in prevention, and that these teams are in direct contact with community leaders.

He also referred to the funds provided by the Ministry of the Interior, which are to be allocated for fire prevention, as well as to the fact that there are 850 registered illegal dumpsites across Cyprus, of which 250 have been identified recently by the Fire Department.

Referring to a series of measures that have been taken, Mr. Kettis said that this year there are 13 primary aerial assets, which are very important for firefighting, in addition to the secondary assets from the British bases.

He also noted that the police helicopters, and those of the National Guard as auxiliary resources, as well as the transnational cooperation agreements with Israel and Greece and the European rescEU mechanism, which, through the Ministry of the Interior, the Civil Protection Agency, are ready to provide the necessary assistance whenever we request it.

He also said that we have installed a fairly sufficient number of cameras in various areas, which provide visual coverage of a wide range of rural areas, and there is a continuous live feed at the National Fire Service Operations Coordination Center, as well as at local central fire stations.

He noted that the cameras are located in the districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos.

The Fire Department’s Press Officer also reported that an additional 60 people have been hired as regular hourly staff to reinforce the rural stations, while “we are operating observation posts, from which we are conducting real-time monitoring of the areas.”

He noted that the number of field stations operating 24 hours a day has increased to 7, and he referred to the Fire Department’s collaborations with other agencies.  

“There is cooperation, and we are all working toward the common goal and purpose of prevention as well as suppression with some of these agencies,” he added.

Mr. Kettis also mentioned the assistance provided by organized volunteer groups that have been incorporated into the Fire Department’s action plans.

He further stated that water supply sources have been identified throughout Cyprus and that a large number of boreholes have been recorded, adding that the contract for electro-optical systems—which will record and analyze a fire.

He noted that these systems will be installed not only in all rural areas but also in industrial zones and at the energy center.

He also mentioned collaboration with the Department of Meteorology aimed at prevention, as well as the Fire Department teams that operate unmanned aerial vehicles.

He further stated that during critical hours of the day, fully loaded firefighting aircraft patrol various areas based on meteorological data, while also noting the continuous patrols by ground vehicles.

Preventive measures taken by other involved agencies

Furthermore, Mr. Kettis referred to the actions being taken by all other relevant departments and agencies to prevent and suppress fires. 

Specifically, he said that the Ministry of the Interior will allocate funds totaling €3 million to the Community Service Clusters to carry out the necessary work to clear or cultivate abandoned agricultural land or other areas and/or perform necessary pruning.

At the same time, it has increased the subsidy rate for communities to purchase single-cab fire trucks from 50% to 80% as of May 2025. Since then, relevant applications from 54 communities have been approved.

Mr. Kettis noted that on April 24, a decree by the Minister of the Interior was published prohibiting the use of tools that produce sparks in open areas when weather conditions favor the spread of fire.

The Ministry has revised the compensation process for owners of private vehicles/machinery that assist in firefighting, so that the terms of compensation become more attractive and the problem of their non-response is resolved.

Also important is the work of the District Administrations, which are clearing brush from roadside embankments and cleaning rural roads, and informing communities of their obligations regarding the implementation of fire prevention measures.

The District Administrations have also signed agreements with contractors for the deployment of earthmovers and water tankers, which are on standby at strategic locations in the districts of Larnaca, Limassol, and Paphos.

In addition, the District Administrations’ fire trucks equipped with water tanks and fire pumps have been registered as “firefighting and/or other use” vehicles, so that they can safely assist in firefighting efforts.

She noted that the District Administrations maintain a Registry of Community Volunteers and are proceeding with the gradual equipping of volunteers with firefighting uniforms and gear.

For its part, she noted, Civil Defense has updated the “Polybios” Plan, in consultation with the Community Councils and following on-site visits to all communities, and has conducted seven evacuation drills in May–June 2026 and has informed all communities of the procedures they must follow in the event of an evacuation.

The Fire Department’s Press Officer noted that the Early Warning System (Public Warning System)—CY-Alert—has also been operational since June 2 of this year.

Civil Defense, he said, has established communication groups with community leaders and members of Community Councils to send group messages from the Coordination Center in case of an emergency, while simultaneously maintaining a log of Civil Defense operations.

It has also provided 39 new wireless communication devices to high-risk communities to ensure uninterrupted communication.

Referring to the Game and Wildlife Service, he noted that it plays an active role in the prevention and suppression of agricultural and forest fires, conducting 24-hour patrols in rural areas.

For example, he said, in 2025, the agency responded to more than 300 calls from the Fire Department and the Forestry Department for assistance in extinguishing forest or agricultural fires. At least 25 fires across Cyprus were also detected and extinguished in their very early stages, without the need for other services to be involved, he added.

The Game and Wildlife Service has 32 single-cab fire trucks equipped with water tanks with a capacity of 500 to 600 liters and fitted with water cannons, he added.

Regarding the Forestry Department, he noted that it implements standby programs for forestry officials and is responsible for the formation and operation of the Forest Firefighting Corps. 

It conducts an awareness campaign on forest fire prevention and coordinates the services and agencies involved in forest firefighting.

On May 19, he said, it organized the large-scale field exercise “Hephaestus 2026.”

At the same time, it proceeded with the construction and maintenance of fire-protection infrastructure within state-owned forests, such as fire lookouts, water reservoirs, hydrants, helipads, and fire safety systems.

According to Mr. Kettis, the Forestry Department is also responsible for vegetation management and mowing grass along roads located within state-owned forests. 

Source: CNA