Wildfire at Kalo Chorio firing range contained
A large wildfire broke out on Monday, July 27, 2026, at approximately 12:40 PM within the Kalo Chorio firing range in the Larnaca district. The blaze, which scorched about 120 hectares of low vegetation, was triggered during National Guard live-fire training exercises. The fire spread toward the villages of Agia Anna and Psevdas, necessitating evacuations; some residents reported using church bells to warn neighbors after receiving no mobile alert messages. One volunteer firefighter sustained injuries after falling from a height while battling the flames.
The firefighting operation involved over 200 personnel from the Department of Forests, the Fire Service, Civil Defence, the National Guard, and local volunteers. Authorities deployed 11 firefighting aircraft and five helicopters under the 'Ikaros II' National Plan. The fire was declared fully under control by 7:30 PM on Monday. While the immediate threat to homes in Agia Anna was averted, firefighting forces remained on-site throughout the night to monitor for flare-ups. An investigation into the exact cause of the blaze is ongoing, and authorities remain on high alert due to weather forecasts predicting strong winds.