Cyprus has placed itself on heightened wildfire alert as climate change drives fire risks across the Mediterranean, with authorities warning that rising temperatures and prolonged drought create optimal conditions for severe blazes.
Scientific studies indicate the situation will deteriorate further as southern European countries face intensifying climate impacts. The Eastern Mediterranean, where Cyprus is located, represents Europe’s fastest-warming region with temperature increases at nearly double the global average rate, according to EU Copernicus Climate Change Service data.
The European Parliament will discuss wildfire preparedness Wednesday with Council and European Commission representatives as 2024 recorded as the hottest year globally. EU data shows total burned area across the bloc reached 9% above the 2006-2023 average, whilst fires exceeding 30 hectares increased 51%.
Fire season extends
Experts warn the fire season is extending whilst geographical risk areas expand, with increased probability of more severe and extensive fires spreading at greater speeds and higher intensity. Central and southeastern Europe, including Cyprus, record the highest summer temperatures.
Rising temperatures, prolonged drought periods and strengthened winds create optimal conditions for wildfire outbreak and spread across forest and agricultural areas. Drought phenomena have already affected large parts of Europe since spring, with conditions expected to worsen.
Cyprus recorded 77 forest fires from January to May 2025, burning 22 hectares compared to a decade average of 400 hectares, representing a 95% reduction in burned area despite the heightened risk environment. The improvement contrasts sharply with 297 hectares burned during the same period in 2024.
Enhanced response capabilities
The European Union positioned 22 firefighting aircraft and four helicopters from 10 member states, plus nearly 650 firefighters from 14 countries strategically located in high-risk zones across France, Greece, Portugal and Spain for the 2025 fire season.
Resources include a permanent Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels. The Commission expressed intentions to leverage the rescEU strategic reserve for natural disaster response, maintaining and potentially strengthening existing capabilities including aerial firefighting.
Cyprus enhanced firefighting capabilities through personnel expansion and technological upgrades. The Forestry Department employs 1,008 frontline staff, including 275 forest officials, 625 firefighters, 80 fire guards and 28 equipment operators following recruitment of 108 new personnel in 2024.
Technology aids detection
Cyprus operates 11 primary aircraft with combined water-dropping capacity of 36.2 tonnes, including six Air Tractor planes (3 tonnes each), two Blackhawk helicopters (3.6 tonnes), two Sikorsky S-61 helicopters (3 tonnes) and one Chinook from British bases (5 tonnes). Officials plan acquiring 10 owned aircraft within five years.
Drone surveillance expanded from 100 hours in 2021 to an expected 1,000 hours in 2025, with 300 flight hours recorded. Authorities operate 15 fire towers and 32 observation posts for daily monitoring.
Cyprus installed three electro-optical fire detection systems with plans for 15 additional systems, risk forecasting software, two balloon observation systems and three mobile operational centres.
Arson remains primary threat
Authorities successfully contained 80% of 2024 fires before spreading, with average burned area per incident limited to under one hectare. Average response time reached 12 minutes, with officials targeting 10-minute response times.
Statistics show 25% of 2024 fires resulted from deliberate arson, whilst 15% originated from agricultural activities. Additional causes included 10% electrical short circuits, 9% traveller activities, 6% domestic activities, 5% refuse burning and lightning strikes.
Cyprus implemented six bills in February increasing arson penalties to 12 years imprisonment and €100,000 fines. For 2024, Cyprus recorded 168 fires burning 468 hectares, showing a 2% decrease in fire numbers and 28% reduction in burned area compared to decade averages.
International cooperation
Cyprus participates in cooperation programmes with the United States Forest Service, Israel on fire risk indices, and the EU rescEU programme contributing two aircraft. The Forestry College resumed operations after a 10-year suspension, with 20 apprentice positions advertised.
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