Pafos Live 13 August 2024
The Department of Forests recommends caution to the public during its excursions to the forests in August, making "a very strong appeal to respect nature and the environment and not to leave garbage thrown away".
He also emphasizes that "the problem of catastrophic fires should concern and set an example for everyone, so that we are particularly careful during our excursions, completely avoiding actions and activities that are likely to cause fire." For this purpose, he notes, "close cooperation with the staff of the Department of Forests and other Services, especially the Police, is required."
It is emphasized that "it is strictly forbidden to light fires in forest and rural areas and that this action constitutes an offense which according to the Forest Law is punishable by imprisonment up to 10 years or a fine of up to € 50.000,00 or both penalties".
A special appeal is addressed to the owners of holiday homes, as well as to the owners of houses, that if they will light coals for the preparation of food, to light them in specially designed areas that are completely safe. Avoid lighting wood because it poses a greater risk and finally make sure that the coals and fire are completely extinguished at the end of baking,
In addition, professionals or amateurs and unskilled people are urged not to use metal cutting or welding tools (emery, welding or welding) near dry vegetation, as the sparks caused are one of the main causes of forest fires in recent years.
Also, owners of holiday homes who intend to assign foreign workers or third parties to clean the yard of their house from grass, explain to them and prevent them from trying to burn them since lighting a fire is strictly prohibited and at the same time is a risk of causing a fire with unpredictable consequences.
It is also recalled that it is forbidden to dispose of lit cigarette butts in forest and rural areas.
It is noted that lighting a fire is allowed only in picnic areas and only within the specially designed areas that the Department of Forests has designed.
If someone notices smoke or fire, call immediately the free line 1407 (Department of Forests) or 112 (Fire Service).
