Forest department intervenes in two illegal fire incidents

On August 10, 2026, the Cyprus Forest Department intervened in two separate incidents involving illegal fire lighting. In the first case, a group of young people attempted to use a barbecue on Lara beach, located within the Akamas National Forest Park. Forestry department cameras detected the fire, and a nearby patrol was dispatched to extinguish the coals and remove the group. All individuals involved in the beach incident were reported by authorities.

In a second incident near Koutrafas, an individual attempted to burn weeds within a private orchard located close to the forest area. Forest Department patrols arrived at the site, extinguished the flames, and initiated legal proceedings against the responsible person. Forestry department spokesperson Glafkos Kyriacou noted that patrols have been significantly increased throughout the summer due to the heightened risk of wildfires. He emphasized that the department is moving beyond simple warnings, opting for prosecution in serious cases to ensure better compliance with forest protection regulations. The incidents highlight the constant monitoring capabilities of the department, which utilizes both optical sensors and thermal cameras to identify fire threats in sensitive areas such as Akamas.