Wildfire contained as residents await clearance to return home
The wildfire that broke out near Kalo Chorio in Larnaca has been brought under control, with firefighting crews expected to remain at the scene throughout the night to extinguish remaining hotspots.
Authorities have reopened the Kalo Chorio–Psevdas road, which had been closed earlier due to the fire.
Residents who were evacuated are awaiting an official CY Alert notification before being allowed to return to their homes.
Earlier, the Community Leader of Agia Anna, Anastasis Georgiou, criticised delays in the emergency alert system, saying the community had to ring the church bell to warn residents before the CY Alert message was issued.
He also said around 10 elderly residents were evacuated to nearby communities, including Mosfiloti and Psevdas, as a precaution.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas expressed frustration over the incident, stating that responsibility lies with the 70th Engineer Battalion regarding the destruction of ammunition under the prevailing conditions.
The Fire Service held an emergency press briefing at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Larnaca, where Chief Fire Officer and National Fire Coordinator Nikos Longinos provided an update on the operation.
Authorities continue to monitor the area as crews work to fully extinguish the fire.
Scenes from the operation to extinguish Kalo Chorio wildfire
EAC on operational standby in Agia Anna
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) said its personnel have been at the coordination centre set up in Agia Anna from the first moments of the wildfire and are being updated on developments.
According to EAC spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou, EAC crews are also on full operational standby to respond to any needs that may arise.
Evacuation message sent to residents
Residents of Agia Anna and Psevdas received messages instructing them to leave their communities due to the wildfire.
Defence Minister to make statement
Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas will address the Ministry of Defence at 18:30 regarding the fire incident at the Kalo Chorio firing range on 27 July 2026.
Confusion over reports of burnt homes
Community leader Anastasios Georgiou told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the fire had entered Agia Anna uncontrollably and had already burned homes. However, Forestry Department Director Savvas Iezekiel said all houses were currently protected and denied that homes had been affected so far.
Young man injured during firefighting efforts
A young man was injured while attempting to assist with firefighting operations. He fell from a height, suffered leg injuries and was taken by ambulance to Larnaca General Hospital.
Reason behind the fire’s spread
Forestry Department Director Savvas Iezekiel said the fire started at the Kalo Chorio firing range. Firefighters were unable to approach the area due to safety concerns caused by ongoing explosions, allowing the blaze to spread.
Psevdas also evacuated
Authorities ordered the evacuation of the Psevdas community as the wildfire continued to spread.
Authorities are on high alert over the major wildfire raging at the Kalo Chorio firing Range in Larnaca district, which has spread as far as Agia Anna. A coordination centre has been set up in the area by the Forestry Department and the Fire Service to oversee firefighting operations.
The Civil Defence has also been placed on alert, with members carrying out a precautionary evacuation of the Agia Anna community. Around 350 residents are being safely transferred to the offices of the Mosfiloti Community Council, while ambulances have also been deployed to the area as a precaution to respond immediately to any incidents.
Community services, in cooperation with other authorities, had moved elderly residents who were unable to evacuate their homes to another community.
The community leader added that local services and residents are also taking part in efforts to contain and extinguish the blaze, using any available means, including agricultural machinery.
Residents told SigmaLive that the fire has moved close to homes, while smoke can be seen from nearby communities, including Psevdas.
According to the latest updates, a total of 11 aerial firefighting assets have joined the operation, while personnel have been recalled to reinforce ground crews.
The Department of Forests said the fire is being managed under its operational responsibility, with forces continuously strengthened.
The Department of Forests announced that the fire danger level for Tuesday, 28 July 2026, will remain “extremely high” across all forest areas.
Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant as firefighting operations are ongoing.
The Department of Forests said the fire has taken dangerous dimensions, while firefighting units are being continuously reinforced. Four aerial firefighting assets are also operating in the area.
At around 15:45, residents of Agia Anna village were instructed to evacuate as a precaution.
Firefighting forces were mobilised on Monday after a wildfire broke out inside the Kalo Chorio firing range following National Guard live-fire exercises before spreading beyond the site’s boundaries.
Fire Service spokesperson Andreas Kettis said in a post on X that three fully staffed fire engines from Larnaca Fire Stations were dispatched to the scene.
Ground and aerial resources deployed
Kettis said firefighting efforts were reinforced with additional ground crews, while further support from the Department of Forests was expected.
Three firefighting aircraft were also carrying out water drops around the perimeter of the blaze in an effort to contain its spread.
Department of Forests leads operation
According to the latest update, the fire is within an area that falls under the operational responsibility of the Department of Forests, which is coordinating the firefighting operation.
No information has yet been released regarding the size of the fire, any damage caused or whether there is a threat to nearby communities.
Also read: The science behind “fire clouds” and Europe’s wildfire crisis
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