Filenews 5 May 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
At a time when the threat of forest fires is intensifying, this year's data reveals a worrying reality that most fires occurring in Cyprus are intentional.
According to official data from the Department of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment for 2024, 27% of forest fires were recorded intentionally, continuing a trend observed in previous years, where most fires are not due to accidents or natural causes, but to human intention.
This is followed by fires caused by agricultural activities with a percentage of 15%. 10% of the fires of 2024 were caused by short circuit of power lines, 8% by travellers, 5% by residential activities and 4% by burning garbage. The percentage of fires caused by lightning amounts to 5%.
Despite the fact that the Republic of Cyprus still does not have a single privately owned aircraft for firefighting purposes, as of May 1, 2025, a fleet of seven aircraft has been put into operational readiness. These are four leased aircraft of the Air Tractor 802 type, two planes of the same type from Jordan, as well as a Chinook helicopter from the British Bases. In addition, by the end of May, the issue of leasing four more helicopters is expected to be clarified, which with their inclusion will raise the number of primary aircraft to 11 – the highest number ever recorded in operational readiness in Cyprus.
Of the 168 fires in 2024, most (150) occurred within the 2-kilometer zone from the boundaries of state forests, while only 18 occurred within state forest land. In total, 37 hectares of state forest land were affected. At the same time, the Department of Forestry participated in the extinguishing of 91 rural fires in cooperation with the Fire Service. The total area affected was 462 hectares, a decrease of 28.6% compared to the average of the decade, attributed to the immediate mobilization and improvement of firefighting means and methods, including aerial means.
It is noteworthy that in 81% of cases, the burned area per fire did not exceed one hectare. Only three incidents exceeded 50 hectares: in Trimiklini-Lania (130 hectares), in Drousia (130 hectares) and in Vasa Kellaki (89 hectares). The average reaction time remained at 12 minutes, the same as the average of the decade.
Crushers, controlled burning and grazing
In addition to suppression, the Department of Forestry invests in prevention with new practices. In 2024, controlled combustion was implemented for the first time in collaboration with CERIDES of the European University Cyprus and the Pau Costa Foundation, with the aim of preventing fires and preserving biodiversity in abandoned rural areas. The method will be integrated into the fire protection strategy with strict protocols. Controlled combustion is governed by very strict meteorological, environmental and organizational parameters and protocols, which have been delivered to the Department of Forestry for the purposes of further training and utilization of this tool safely and effectively.
At the same time, 17 communities/municipalities received 100% grants for the supply of crushers, enhancing local preparedness. In 2025, a pilot implementation of controlled grazing in Pyrgos Tillyria also begins, with the aim of reducing fuel, a practice that is expected to be extended to two more areas in 2026.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, 2024 is recorded as a year of reduced burned area and improved response, however, the high frequency of deliberate fires is a major problem that requires immediate response through prevention, surveillance and tightening of penalties. The reinforcement of aerial means and the integration of innovative practices point the way to more effective forest protection.
