Filenews 28 August 2025 - by Michalis Hatzivasilis
Thirty-six days after the deadly and devastating fire in Mountainous Limassol, there are still communities that have done nothing to prevent a fire from breaking out in their area of responsibility.
We are talking about the dry grass that is located at the edges of the roads, from which dense fires often break out, which in many cases are catastrophic.
Although the government allocates funds to the District Governors and the communities precisely for the removal of dry grass from the ends of the roads, some community councils do not even bother to submit a request.
It is proven, from the assumptions of officers of the Fire Department, that a large percentage of fires every year are due to the failure to remove dry grass and other objects that are in the grooves near the roads.
As it has been proven, drivers throw lit cigarette butts from their vehicle and as a result they unwittingly turn into arsonists, since due to the uncleanliness of the dry grass they catch fire resulting in fires with unpredictable consequences.
Despite the appeals of the Ministry of the Interior, the District Governors and the Fire Service, for the cleaning of the grass on both sides of the streets, many today, despite what tragically happened in 20 communities of Limassol, remain in their previous situation.
In some cases, the grass even spread on the road.
Like the road Kornos – Delikipou – Lefkara which, as can be seen in the photos, asphalt, grass and pine trees became one.
In case someone unscrupulously throws a cigarette butt, then it is certain that we will cry over ruins. They may not be main road arteries, but they are used by many drivers who want to avoid traffic, or pass through a pine-covered area.
It is obvious from the extent of the grass that this year they have not been cleaned and it is fortunate that no fire has broken out so far. The problem does not only concern this road, it is pan-Cypriot and was also shown by the deadly fire in the wine villages of Limassol.
Where the grass had been cleared, houses were saved, while where nothing was done, the neighbouring houses became a fire extinguisher.
According to information we had, just the day before yesterday the Municipality of Lefkara, which is now responsible for the districts of Kornos and Delikipos, has announced a tender for the cleaning of weeds from main and rural roads.
