Greek firefighting team conducts first mission in Cyprus

A Greek firefighting team currently deployed in Cyprus under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism's 'Prepositioning 2026' program participated in its first real-world firefighting operation on September 14, 2026. The team assisted local authorities in extinguishing a blaze in the community of Arsos following a request from the Cyprus Fire Service.

Prior to the incident, the team had been engaged in an operational familiarization program led by the Department of Forests. This training included visits to the Tripylos fire lookout, the Stavros tis Psokas forest station, and various areas of the Paphos Forest, where members were briefed on surveillance infrastructure, road networks, and local operational challenges. The Greek team, which is based at the Platania forest station, performed the mission alongside 20 forest firefighters and four officers from the Department of Forests. The joint operation utilized six fire engines and a water tanker to contain the fire.

The Department of Forests stated that the mission served as a practical application of the team’s training, strengthening bilateral cooperation and providing the Greek personnel with direct experience in Cypriot conditions. No further incidents or follow-up actions have been reported regarding this deployment as the team continues its scheduled stay in the country.