Filenews 26 October 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment is implementing an integrated fire protection and firefighting plan for the semi-mountainous areas of Cyprus, according to the answer of Minister Maria Panayiotou to a parliamentary question by Famagusta MP Giorgos Karoullas.
The Minister stated that the semi-mountainous areas, due to their relief and climatic conditions, present an increased risk of fires, which makes their protection a complex and demanding task. As he noted, the Department of Forests is responsible for the prevention and suppression of fires in state forests and the two-kilometer zone around them, implementing an integrated forest fire management system.
In this context, annual cleanings are implemented, fire lanes and forest roads are created and maintained, while fire lookouts and ground and air patrols operate using modern technological means, such as electro-optical automatic fire detection systems and drones with thermal cameras.
Ms. Panagiotou pointed out that the human resources of the Department of Forests have recently been strengthened with the recruitment of more than 100 new forest firefighters, fire guards and operators of special vehicles, while at the same time the acquisition of 10 privately owned aircraft is planned within the next five years. These actions, as he noted, aim to improve the operational readiness and effectiveness of firefighting operations, especially in remote areas.
Particular emphasis is also placed on the cooperation of the Department of Forests with the Fire Service and other stakeholders. As the Minister mentioned, this cooperation ensures coordination both at the level of prevention and during operations, through joint action plans, trainings and regular meetings at local and national level.
In relation to deforestation and clearing of shrubs and dry vegetation, the Department of Forests implements programs in the fire protection zones based on the Forests Law and the Forest Management Regulations. The programs include the reduction of fuel, the demarcation of protective rings around communities, controlled burning and grazing, as well as the provision of technical support to Local Authorities.
At the same time, funded projects are underway for the cleaning of abandoned agricultural land and the supply of equipment for shredding pruning, with the aim of limiting the spread of fires.
Particular reference was also made to the inter-service working group set up to deal with fire risks from power lines, with the participation of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, the Fire Service, the Department of Forests and the Game and Fauna Service. Among the measures promoted are the undergrounding of cables, the replacement of bare conductors and the carrying out of pruning in critical places.
Finally, the Minister referred to the Study prepared for the use of modern technologies in fire prevention and suppression, which includes proposals for the implementation of an integrated crisis and fire management system, using specialized software, observation systems and mobile operations centers.
According to the Ministry's data, 1,000 hours of aerial patrols are expected to be carried out in 2025, compared to 650 hours in 2024 and 100 hours in 2021, which, as emphasized, has already contributed to the early detection and immediate response to fires.
Ms. Panagiotou concluded that "the protection of the natural environment and communities remains a constant and non-negotiable priority of the Ministry", underlining that efforts to strengthen prevention and operational readiness will continue with consistency and coordination of all competent services.
