Fire warning in Cyprus

The Fire Service has sent a dramatic appeal to everybody to help prevent fires, in particular in rural areas, saying that in July this year a 25% increase in rural fires was reported compared to July last year. The cost of damage caused by fires is estimated at 4,1 million euro, according to Acting Director of the Fire Service Markos Tragolas, who said the Fire Service has received a total of 3619 calls for fires so far this year, and nearly 2,000 of them concerned fires in rural areas.

Most fires broke out in Nicosia district, Limassol district reported just over 1,000 fires, followed by Larnaca on the southeast (478), Pafos on the west (440) and Famagusta on the east (379). Last year, the Service received less calls but more of them related to rural areas. Tragolas has told a press conference that one square kilometer of land has been brunt so far this year, as a result of fires.

Asked about the cause of fires, he explained that statistics indicate that 30% of the fires are caused by fires lit by people to burn mainly dry vegetation, 20% are due to burning of refuse, 14% to cigarette butts, nearly 10% to malicious acts, 4% to short circuit and just over 3% to arson. “No fire in rural areas starts by itself. I appeal to everybody to report immediately anybody whose moves raise suspicions,” he said.