A comprehensive strategic plan for the prevention and response to fires in view of the new fire season has been prepared by the District Administration of Nicosia. With the central slogan that fire protection is a collective responsibility, the Prefect Andreas Hadjipakkos underlined the decisive role of the Community Councils that are at the forefront.
According to the District Officer, the prevention and effective response to fires is a collective responsibility, in which everyone has an important role. However, he notes, the role of Community Councils is particularly crucial, as they are at the forefront of both taking preventive measures and ensuring readiness for an immediate response.
As he explained, in view of the fire season, it is necessary to take all the necessary measures in a timely manner to avoid or minimize the possibility of causing fires and to ensure preparedness for their effective response.
One of the most important aspects of the new legislation (N25(I)/2025) concerns the ability of the District Officer or the Police to require the provision of private vehicles and machinery (tractors, excavators, etc.) to extinguish fires.
The District Administration maintains an up-to-date register of individuals who can assist in extinguishing fires. The Community Councils must send the lists of volunteers who own agricultural tractors or other machinery within 15 days.
Refusal to assist without reasonable cause is an offense with a fine of up to €1,000. Accordingly, for the use of the means, a market rent is paid to the owners.
For immediate response, firefighting forces now have the right to use water from any private tank or source without prior consent. In a major preparatory move, appropriate private drilling has been identified in communities, where special couplings have already been installed for the immediate filling of fire trucks.
In the event that the community leaders identify any point within the administrative boundaries of the community, which poses a serious risk of fire and are unable to take measures, they are invited to inform the District Administration or other competent state Service/Department (Police, Fire Service, Department of Forests) accordingly, in order to take timely prevention measures.
The District Officer of Nicosia referred to specific examples for the calculation of compensation to individuals who assist:
Tanker: For a journey of 38 km, (€3.60 per km) 2 hours of waiting (€12.80/hour) and 1 hour of work (€39.20), the total compensation amounts to €201.60.
Agricultural tractor: For 4 hours of standby (€10.40/hour) and 5 hours of work (€26/hour), the total is €171.60.
Land promoter (125 horses): For 4 hours of waiting (€13.50/hour) and 6 hours of work (€46.80/hour), the compensation reaches €388.80.
Actions of community councils
Community councils have specific responsibilities in the context of fire protection:
• Cleaning of dry vegetation in public spaces and roads, as well as creation/cleaning of fire strips.
• Obligation to notify owners for cleaning of their plots. In case of non-compliance within 15 days, the Council proceeds with the cleaning and charges the owner.
• Maintenance of community fire trucks and control of the operation of all water spouts and fire nests.
• Ensuring that volunteer teams are trained by the Fire Brigade or the Department of Forests and have the necessary protective equipment.
The assistance of the Ministry of Interior
Mr. Hadjipakkos also presented the support measures from the Ministry of Interior. Concession of an amount of more than €4 million for this year, for the purpose of cleaning and creating fire zones in all Communities without exception. The creation of the fire zones is done under the guidance of the Fire Service, members of which have visited the Communities and have explained to the Community Presidents how they will implement the measure.
Clean-up funding: Approximately €1.96 million is available for 2026, of which €818,000 concerns 30 Community Service Clusters in Nicosia for the clean-up of abandoned land and areas around the communities.
Equipment reinforcement: €1 million program for the purchase of fire trucks by community councils, with an increased subsidy rate of 80% under conditions.
Operational readiness enhancement: €1.2 million. for the lease and strategic placement of earth forwarders and tankers during the period June – September.
The District Officer stressed that the District Administration will be on constant alert, already having 4 manned firefighting vehicles, while the equipment of another 8 vehicles is being promoted. At the same time, the District Administration is promoting a tender announcement for the supply of single-cabin fire trucks for the community councils that have secured relevant approval from the Ministry of the Interior and which amount to 14 so far.
The use of welding and emery is prohibited by decree
With the Decree (K.D.P. 195/2026), which was published yesterday in the Official Gazette of the Republic, the use of tools that cause sparks or heat now becomes a criminal offense under certain weather conditions, with penalties reaching up to five years in prison. The ban comes into force automatically during the period June 1 to September 30 of each year, as soon as the Department of Meteorology issues:
• Orange or red warning for extremely high temperatures.
• Yellow, orange or red warning for strong winds of at least 7 Beaufort. The ban is valid from the moment the warning is published on the website of the Department of Meteorology and lasts until its expiration.
In the areas covered by the warnings, it is expressly prohibited to use:
1. Tools for cutting or welding metals (emery, welding, etc.).
2. Machinery or apparatus that generates heat, flame or spark.
The use of the above is allowed only in urban areas, industrial/craft zones and critical infrastructure, provided that enhanced fire protection measures are taken.
A person who violates the Decree is guilty of an offence and, if convicted, is liable to a prison sentence not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding €25,000 or both of these penalties or an out-of-court fine of €250 to €2,000 depending on the period during which the offence was committed.
