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- Fire risk remains extremely high, with more than 1,350 countryside fires recorded in Cyprus since the beginning of the year.
- Longinos warned that high temperatures, humidity below 20% and strong winds are creating conditions in which fires can start and spread rapidly.
- Authorities are on heightened alert across all free areas of Cyprus and are prepared to respond to incidents from their earliest stages.
- Longinos said more than 94% of wildfires are caused by human activity and urged citizens to avoid actions that could create sparks.
The current day may be “the most difficult day of the fire season” due to the combination of extreme temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds, National Civil Protection Coordinator Brigadier General Nikos Longinos told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
The warning comes as wildfire risk remains extremely high in Cyprus, with more than 1,350 countryside fires recorded since the beginning of the year.
Longinos urged citizens to exercise maximum caution, stressing that current weather conditions are creating an environment where fires can start easily and spread rapidly.
Heat and dry conditions increase danger
Longinos said current fire-weather conditions are particularly dangerous, as high temperatures, low humidity and winds significantly increase the likelihood of wildfires.
“High temperatures cause dryness, meaning that with the first spark we can have a fire,” he said.
He added that humidity levels are below 20%, while winds are helping fires spread, especially in areas where the terrain allows rapid expansion.
Authorities remain on heightened alert and are prepared to respond to incidents from their earliest stages.
All areas under close watch
Longinos said attention is focused across all free areas of Cyprus, where high temperatures and dangerous fire conditions are currently affecting almost the entire region.
Asked whether there are enough personnel and equipment available, he said the response mechanism is prepared, but warned that no country can guarantee it will be able to contain every major wildfire.
“No one can be certain when a fire can exceed the capacity of the system,” he said, noting that even countries such as Canada, Spain and France, which have significantly greater resources, face serious challenges in dealing with large fires.
Risk expected to remain high
The National Civil Protection Coordinator stressed that the danger is not limited to one day and will remain elevated until weather conditions change.
“Until conditions change and especially until it rains, we will remain on alert, aiming to extinguish any fires at their early stages,” he said.
Referring to improvements made following last summer’s deadly Limassol wildfire, Longinos said significant steps have been taken to strengthen preparedness, although further improvements are still needed.
“We built on those gaps, improved significantly and took many actions, but there will always be room for further improvement,” he said.
Human activity behind most fires
Longinos said more than 1,350 countryside fires have been recorded since the start of the year, describing the number as particularly high.
He noted that comparative statistics with 2025 have not yet been completed, but said the figure represents around 1,400 countryside fires.
The official highlighted the role of human responsibility, saying more than 94% of wildfires are caused by human activity.
“Therefore, we are the ones causing the fires – people,” he said, urging citizens to avoid any actions that could create a spark and lead to devastating consequences.
Source: CNA
Also read: One year since the deadly Limassol mountain wildfire
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