The Mines Service Admits Error in Forest Fire Incident
In a candid acknowledgment of fault, The Mines Service admitted the error, unlike the Electricity Authority in a previous incident, following a blaze that erupted in the forest of Limassol. The fire, which has been described as the first significant forest fire of the year, was inadvertently caused by a flare thrown into a quarry during the destruction of smoke bombs and flares.
Officials from The Mines Service carry out this procedure annually. However, on this occasion, the combination of an almost heatwave-like day and an undismantled flare led to unforeseen consequences. The flare, escaping the confines of the quarry, became the catalyst for the forest fire.
The director of The Mines Service, in a statement to philenews, expressed regret over the incident: “Unfortunately, it was an unfortunate moment and the incident occurred.” This admission stands in stark contrast to last year’s fires attributed to power cables, where no such admission was made by the Electricity Authority.
The incident has sparked discussions on the strict laws targeting farmers who burn vegetation, highlighting the potential for ‘unfortunate moments’ that could lead to severe penalties.
Despite initial reports of the fire being under control, it swiftly escalated, leading to alarms being sounded and potential evacuation warnings for residents in Vasa Kellakiou. This event underscores the government’s recent decision to extend the forest fire season to eight months, from April to November, in response to climate change and increasing high-risk periods.
Critics argue that while expanding the high-risk period is a step forward, more immediate action is needed to ensure timely firefighting equipment and coordination. Questions are raised about the delay in procuring firefighting aircraft, with bidding still underway, and concerns about what measures will be in place until the state’s planned acquisition of 10 firefighting aircraft over the next five years.
During this first forest fire, resources were stretched thin, with only a single Forestry Department aircraft, a police helicopter, and a helicopter from the British Bases in operation. The situation was further highlighted by an incident involving the Minister of Agriculture, who was unable to reach the fire site due to vehicle issues.
The article concludes with a postscript noting ongoing police investigations into criminal activities unrelated to the forest fire but indicative of broader issues of government negligence and public safety concerns.
