Emergency services battle three separate wildfires in Nicosia district

On Saturday, August 1, 2026, emergency crews responded to three separate wildfires in the Nicosia district. Fire Service spokesman Andreas Kettis confirmed that the incidents included a large blaze in the occupied village of Gerolakkos, which produced significant smoke visible across the capital.

The most significant effort was concentrated near Meniko village, where five fire engines from Nicosia, two Forestry Department vehicles, and a Civil Defence unit were deployed to combat a blaze in dry grass and stubble. Volunteer groups Atlas, Dias, and SupportCY assisted the operation alongside two firefighting aircraft. The fire was successfully contained after affecting one hectare of land. Shortly thereafter, a third fire was reported in a ravine containing rubbish near Ergates village; three fire engines and two aircraft managed to bring this blaze under control.

Crews remained at the sites to secure the perimeters and extinguish remaining hotspots. While sources differ slightly on the exact day of the week—Philenews reports Saturday while Sigmalive reports Sunday—the details regarding the locations, the collaborative effort of the fire service and volunteer groups, and the successful containment of all three fires remain consistent.