Following Monday night’s fire in Paphos- which was fortunately brought under control- concern is growing over the series of fires recorded in the wider Tala area in recent months. The repeated incidents are raising serious questions about their cause and whether they are the result of coincidence or deliberate, malicious activity.
On 12 August, a fire in the same area burned three decares of dry vegetation near homes, with strong firefighting forces remaining at the scene for hours to prevent flare-ups.
Just a few days later, on 19 August, a new fire broke out in the location Vatouthkia, between Koili and Tala, burning two hectares of wild vegetation. Forestry Department teams stayed on site overnight to monitor the area.
On 26 October, a third incident in Rachokampos destroyed roughly one hectare of shrubland and agricultural crops, again requiring overnight presence by firefighting teams to prevent reignition.
Finally, on 3 November, a fourth fire erupted in a rural area between Kissonerga, Akoursos and Tala- a site where “two or three similar outbreaks” had previously occurred- once again prompting a large-scale firefighting response.
Social media users have questioned whether all these incidents can really be coincidences, suggesting that the pattern points to deliberate, repeated acts in the same region.
Authorities say the causes are still under investigation in cooperation with the police. However, the frequency, repetition and concentrated location of the incidents have sparked growing concern among both residents and emergency services.
A history of fires in the same area:
The Tala region has faced recurring wildfires for years:
- 20 August 2019: Fire in a residential area of Tala; firefighters narrowly prevented it from spreading.
- 3 October 2020: Fire in Tala requiring four aircraft for suppression.
- 7 October 2020: Another fire in Tala; several home fences were burned.
- 26 June 2021: Major fire destroyed two homes and damaged five others.
- 11 August 2021: Fire in the Zelemenos area at 4:40am.
- 15 October 2021: Fire burned eight hectares of trees and wild vegetation, threatening homes.
- 3 November 2021: Fire near a residential area in Tala.
- 23 September 2023: Blaze near Tala threatened the Saint Neophytos Monastery.
- 15 June 2024: Fire near homes in the Kamares area of Tala.
- 21 June 2025: Fire at 3am endangered two homes.
Residents now fear the area is being repeatedly targeted, calling for stronger surveillance and preventive patrols before the next incident.
Also read: Fire sparked by shell at Kalo Chorio firing range
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