Cyprus parliamentary committee reviews wildfire preparedness

The Interior Committee of the Cyprus Parliament met to assess wildfire prevention and response mechanisms following a fire in Trozena, Limassol, on Wednesday night. Residents reported delays in firefighting, noting that the nearby Pachna fire station was closed at 7:00 PM, forcing a unit to respond from Moniatis instead. Fire Chief Nikos Longinos stated that he requested the Ministry of Justice to staff five rural stations, including Pachna and Lefkara, on a 24-hour basis to reduce response times. Committee Chairman Aristos Damianou emphasized the need for a new approach, citing past failures despite prior assurances. Government representatives highlighted ongoing improvements, including the creation of firebreaks, the updating of the Polyvios evacuation plan by Civil Defense, and the deployment of earthmovers and tankers to strategic locations. Authorities stated that actions for the 2026 fire season began early, following the appointment of a national coordinator.