Wildfires reported in Paphos region and near Pissouri

Two separate wildfire incidents occurred in the Paphos region over the weekend of August 15-16, 2026, prompting significant emergency responses. On August 15, two fires broke out in the Lysos community at the 'Potamoudes' and 'Mersinia' areas, roughly 500 meters apart. Forestry Department Director Savvas Ezekiel and spokesperson Glafkos Kyriakou identified these as malicious, citing a recurring pattern of suspicious fires in the Droushia-Prodromos-Skoulli triangle. The fires in Lysos, which burned approximately 7 hectares, were contained by a large task force including 9 aircraft and dozens of ground personnel under the 'Ikaros II' plan.

On August 16, a separate fire broke out near the Pissouri exit along the Limassol-Paphos highway around 3:00 PM. This blaze, which affected dry grass and wild vegetation, forced authorities to close the highway in both directions. Traffic was diverted to the old road while fire engines, volunteers, and aerial assets conducted containment operations. Investigations into the causes of these fires remain ongoing, with authorities particularly concerned about the intentional nature of the events in the Paphos district.