The number of fires across Cyprus increased in the past fifteen days, with their total number reaching 476, the Spokesperson of the Fire Services Andreas Kettis has told CNA.

Most of these fires and in particular 450 of them broke out in the countryside, Kettis said.

He also said that the total number of fires from May 1 to date is around 590 of which 390 had occurred in the countryside.

In reply to a question, Kettis said that human activity is to be blamed for the fire outbreak,  emphasizing that human factor is behind every fire relating to acts of recklessness, negligence, or malicious and arson ones.

“There are no accidental fires”, he noted.

He said that the total number of fires broke out in May last year both in rural and urban areas reached 693, adding that fires in rural areas were 461 and those in urban areas 232.

Fire Services are taking all necessary measures to reduce the risk of fire in view of the summer season in cooperation and coordination with all competent services, he said.

He finally called on citizens to be very cautious with anything that can cause a fire and immediately inform the Police and Fire Services, whenever they see a fire.