Efforts to extinguish a fire that started around 2.55pm on Wednesday in Ayia Marina Xyliatou are still ongoing and will continue through the night, the forestry department said.

Forestry department director Charalambos Alexandrou told the Cyprus News Agency that it has been difficult to control the blaze, which has spread to a large part of the area, due to very strong winds.

The fire broke out near the Ayia Marina Xyliatou area, moving east towards the Alona-Platanistasa road and reaching the forest station and Panagia picnic area near Mitsero.

Alexandrou said that no homes have been threatened by the flames although the verdict is still out on two holiday homes that are not visible at the moment.

The services are attempting to control the blaze on land with help from helicopters and planes from the forestry department, national guard, fire services, and the British bases.

They will remain in the area through the night, when the wind will hopefully die down, Alexandrou added.

According to the fire services, the operation has been set in motion following the “Icarus 2” programme, which involves coordinated firefighting efforts.