#fire

Wildfires in Cyprus: what you need to know

Cyprus has a long fire season, running broadly from May to October, when high temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds combine to make the island vulnerable. Most large fires occur inland and in the hills, particularly across the Troodos range, the Paphos forest and the foothills above Limassol, though fires close to villages and the coast are not unusual.

Fires here can develop quickly. The combination of pine forest, steep terrain and summer winds means a fire that begins small can spread within hours, and evacuations of villages and holiday accommodation can in occasions happen. Cyprus Mail covers these events as they unfold, reporting where a fire is burning, which communities are affected, the scale of the response and what the authorities are advising.

The fire service is supported in serious incidents by the forestry department, the National Guard, and firefighting aircraft — including support arranged through the European Union civil protection mechanism and from neighbouring countries. Major fires in recent years have prompted debate about forest management, arson and the resources available for firefighting, and our reporting covers those questions alongside the incidents themselves.

Are there fires in Cyprus right now?

Any active fire is reported at the top of this page as soon as our newsroom confirms it. If no recent article appears above, there is no significant fire being reported at the time of writing.

For visitors, the practical position is that wildfires in Cyprus are usually contained to specific rural areas  and rarely affect the main resort towns or airports, but conditions change quickly. If you are travelling or hiking in the mountains and a fire is active, follow instructions from the local authorities and your accommodation, and check the latest coverage on this page.

Reporting a fire

Fires should be reported to the emergency services on 112, or the fire service directly on 199. Do not attempt to tackle a wildfire yourself. Deliberate fire-setting and negligent burning are criminal offences in Cyprus and are regularly prosecuted.