Cyprus evaluates wildfire preparedness one year after major blaze

Following the destructive 2023 wildfire in mountainous Limassol, which resulted in two fatalities, Cyprus is reassessing its firefighting capabilities. The previous blaze destroyed approximately 130 square kilometers of forest and agricultural land, damaged over 500 buildings, and forced the evacuation of 16 communities. National Civil Protection Coordinator Nikos Longinos stated that operational readiness has been improved, though he acknowledged that climate change continues to increase fire risks. The aerial firefighting fleet remains at 13 aircraft, the same number as last year. However, the government has transitioned toward state ownership, with one aircraft now officially owned by the Republic of Cyprus. Additional acquisitions are expected by the end of the year to enhance long-term response capacity. Authorities emphasize that the current strategy shifts focus from purely reactive suppression to a combination of prevention, rapid intervention, and inter-agency coordination.