The Fire Service has blamed local authorities for failing to adequately clear vegetation ahead of the devastating Limassol wildfire, according to an official report on the incident.
Chief Fire Officer Nikos Longinos repeated his position on local government responsibilities, as previously reported, stating that insufficient action was taken to clear plots, fields and road verges, resulting in “exceptionally high thermal load”.
The Fire Service has proposed extending rural fire station operating hours to 24-hour coverage and recruiting additional personnel for staffing.
According to the Fire Service report, the service holds operational responsibility for 79% of areas under effective control of the Republic of Cyprus, covering all urban areas and rural regions.
Prevention responsibilities remain divided
The report notes that whilst rural firefighting was transferred to the Fire Service in 1994, prevention remains the responsibility of the Interior Ministry.
Detailing events leading to the fire, the report states that at 20:40 on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, the Chief Fire Officer telephoned the Aircraft Operations Unit Commander, instructing that aerial patrols be extended beyond 16:00 the following day, particularly in the mountainous Limassol region due to an orange weather warning for high temperatures.
The Aircraft Operations Unit Commander subsequently informed the Chief Fire Officer that two Jordanian Air Tractor aircraft would be unavailable on Wednesday due to crew changes. Department of Forests Director Iezekiel Savvas was also notified of these communications.
Following further contact between the Chief Fire Officer and the Limassol Regional Emergency Planning and Coordination Officer around 21:00 the same day, the Chief Fire Officer warned that Wednesday “would be very dangerous and we should have patrols”.
Patrol arrangements implemented
On Wednesday, 23 July, beyond staffing rural stations, two patrols were established: one in western Limassol covering the areas of Agios Sylas, Vounaro and Kourris Dam, and another in eastern Limassol in the Eftagonia Rural Station area.
According to the Fire Service report, both patrols were staffed by personnel from Limassol Fire Stations.
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