Two cases that show that we do not comply with the instructions regarding the protection of forests, have been recorded in the last few hours by the Department of Forests, which activated the mechanisms to prevent them.
As the press representative of the Department of Forests, Mr. Glafkos Kyriakou, with whom we contacted, told philenews, in the first case young people went with their foukou to the beach of Lara, which falls within the forest park of Akamas. However, as soon as the coals were lit, they were immediately spotted by the cameras of the Department of Forests. Fortunately, there was a patrol of the Department in the area and rushed to the spot, depriving the gathered people of the party.
It is noted that in addition to any dangers from lighting a fire, in the past it has been observed that some people dig in the sand and bury the coals or even empty the coals on the beach.
The second case concerned a person who attempted to burn grass in his orchard in Koutrafas.
Fortunately, in this case as well, there was a patrol of the Department of Forests in the area which extinguished the fire. The Department of Forests did not limit itself to observations but launched the process of bringing the perpetrator to justice.
The question is what would have happened in both cases if there had been no patrol near the two places where a fire broke out.
Asked about the cameras of the Department in Akamas, Mr. Kyriakou said that there are both thermal cameras that detect smoke and cameras that help the Department of Forests to have a visual image of the forest, in order to check whether a fire has broken out anywhere.
Mr. Kyriakou said that the camera system in Akamas was the first to be installed. Referring to the citizens in general, he said that no matter how much the Department repeats itself, it calls on both excursionists/vacationers and professionals to be especially careful to protect themselves and their fellow human beings and the forests.
The Department of Forests indicates that forest fires are mainly due to anthropogenic causes and are caused by deliberate actions and negligence and, to a lesser extent, by natural causes (lightning). The main causes of forest fires are agricultural activities, the disposal of lit cigarette butts or matches, the lighting of fires in unauthorized places, the burning of garbage in unapproved areas, military exercises, hunters' activities, activities in homes such as the use of power tools that cause sparks, the short circuit of power lines, etc.
