Filenews 21 October 2024 - by Dora Christodoulou
The hottest days of summer with the fires that broke out due to heat wave one after another reminded us of today. Two fires that broke out almost simultaneously in Limassol and Paphos caused the total mobilization of all air assets available to the Republic for the first time in a long time.
First, the fire was dealt with in the area of Lania in Limassol and after it was extinguished, all aerial means were directed to the area of Akamas where a fire raged uncontrollably in the area of Pittokopos, near Ineia. The fire reached great proportions due to the winds, as a result of which a military unit was evacuated as a precaution in the area that was a stone's throw from the fire front.
To deal with the fires in both Limassol and Paphos, the planes of the Department of Forests based at Pafos and Larnaka airports, as well as in Akrotiri, the Jordanian firefighting helicopters that are in Cyprus to provide assistance, as well as helicopters of the National Guard, are operating.
Shortly after 3.30pm, the fire in Lania was brought under control and all aircraft went to the Akamas area, where continuous airdrops continue to control the fire front, along with the large mobilization of the ground forces of the Fire Brigade and the Department of Forests.
The Icarus 2 plan is activated for the fire, which broke out in an area of the community of Droushia in the Pafos District with 9 aircraft and a coordinating flight of the National Guard. The fire broke out at 1:15 p.m., according to the Department of Forests.
