The fire service has been placed on heightened alert following a rise in countryside fires over the past 24 hours and ahead of high temperatures and strong winds forecast for the coming days.
The service responded to 34 incidents in the past 24 hours, including 15 fires, 13 special service calls and six false alarms.
At 12.55 pm on Saturday, a fire broke out across five decares of dry grass, wild vegetation, carob trees and olive trees near Sfalangiotissa cemetery in Ayios Athanasios, Limassol.
Some personnel were recalled to duty to ensure that Limassol fire stations remained adequately staffed.
The response involved three fire engines, one Game and Fauna Service vehicle, two vehicles from the SupportCY and ATLAS 1 volunteer teams, and two firefighting aircraft that were already on patrol.
According to the fire service, the blaze may have been caused by sparks from overhead Electricity Authority cables as a result of strong winds in the area.
At 2.57pm, the fire service assisted the Forestry Department in tackling a blaze near the community of Prodromi.
The fire burned one hectare of dry grass, unharvested crops and wild vegetation, and also damaged irrigation pipes.
Four fire engines from Polis Chrysochous and Stroumpi rural station took part, along with Forestry Department crews and a privately owned agricultural tractor.
Later, at 5.04pm, another fire broke out at the location known as Kampos tou Mylou, between the communities of Orounta and Potami, burning six hectares of dry grass and unharvested crops.
Three fire engines, two Forestry Department vehicles, one agricultural tractor and two vehicles from the SupportCY and DIAS 1 volunteer teams responded.
Police are investigating the cause of that fire.
The fire service urged the public to exercise particular care, warning that high temperatures and strong winds increase the risk of fires starting and spreading rapidly.
It also called on people to monitor the areas around them and immediately alert the authorities if they spot a fire or suspicious activity.
As part of the heightened measures, fully loaded firefighting aircraft will carry out patrols, while surveillance will be reinforced through observation posts, drones and continuous ground patrols.
