Firefighting Challenges Plague Cyprus Amidst Forest Fires
In a concerning turn of events, a flare and fireworks caused separate fires in forests in Cyprus at the end of April, exposing severe deficiencies in the country’s firefighting capabilities. Despite promises of having ten firefighting aircraft, the country only has one available, leaving authorities scrambling to control the blazes.
The incident began with an oversight at a quarry in a state forest where firecrackers and flares were being destroyed. A forgotten armed flare was launched into the forest, igniting a fire that quickly escalated beyond control. Ground firefighting crews were dispatched, but their efforts were hampered by the lack of aerial support.
As the situation worsened, it became evident that the government’s previous assurances of ample firefighting resources were unfounded. The competent minister, arriving on the scene, could only offer uncertain promises of additional aircraft arriving by June or July. This revelation followed deafening statements made last month about bolstering the fleet, which now appear to reference a distant future rather than the present need.
The same distressing pattern has repeated itself since the massive fire in Solea in 2016. Despite numerous meetings, studies, and plans, the outcome has been consistently disappointing. The Arakapas and Ora regions have also suffered from similar fiascos, with ineffective leadership at the helm.
Even the transition from former President Nikos Anastasiades to his successor did little to change the course of action. Despite convening urgent meetings and echoing grand declarations about aircraft acquisitions, the reality remains grim. The country’s firefighting preparedness is still woefully inadequate.
This pattern of neglect has had devastating consequences, with Cyprus’s natural landscapes repeatedly falling victim to wildfires. From 2012 to 2023, exposed cables from the Electricity Authority have sparked numerous fires, and despite discussions since 2020, no preventive measures have been implemented.
Comparisons with neighboring Jordan’s superior helicopter capabilities and the EU’s offer to establish a Canadair firefighting base in Cyprus—which was declined in favor of smaller aircraft—highlight the extent of government negligence. The current situation begs the question: when will responsibility be taken for this criminal negligence? With new leadership but old mindsets, the citizens of Cyprus are left to wonder if effective firefighting measures will ever be a reality.
