Environmental challenges and fire preparedness in Cyprus

The Cyprus Department of Forests reports that widespread tree dieback across the island, including the Athalassa National Forest Park, is caused by climate change, prolonged drought, and rising temperatures. This environmental stress has weakened vegetation, making trees susceptible to wood-boring insects and diseases. The department is currently removing dead trees, monitoring pests, and replacing vulnerable species like pine with climate-resilient alternatives such as carob, terebinth, and cypress. Concurrently, Cyprus faces ongoing threats from wildfires, highlighted by last year's destructive fires in mountainous Limassol which caused two deaths and extensive property damage. National Civil Protection Coordinator Nikos Longinos stated that while operational readiness has improved, the country remains vulnerable to extreme climate-driven fire events. The national aerial firefighting fleet remains at 13 aircraft, though the government has now acquired ownership of one unit. Further fleet expansions are expected by the end of the year to bolster response capabilities.