The Department of Forests has disclosed allegations of malicious fires in the Akamas peninsula, revealing that 125 of 179 fires recorded between 2020 and 2024 were deliberate arson attacks, representing 70% of all incidents.
The revelations were contained in the department’s response to an Audit Office report regarding contract management for projects in the Akamas National Forest Park. The forestry department expressed deep concern about potential consequences of destabilising existing balances in the protected area.
According to the department, individuals dissatisfied with state decisions affecting their interests concerning land use, access rights and business operations, choose to start fires as a means of “revenge”. The department identified arson as one of the most serious threats facing the Akamas region.
The Akamas area attracts over one million visits annually, excluding tourists. Peak visitation occurs between May and October, coinciding with the most dangerous period for forest fires, which increases the likelihood of catastrophic consequences in case of arson.
Arson emerges as leading cause of forest fires in 2024
Despite reductions in burned area, the threat of forest fires remains active, with arson emerging as the most significant factor causing fires in 2024. According to official Forestry Department statistics, 27% of fires within the department’s responsibility zone were caused by deliberate arson, making it the primary cause of fires for the year.
Agricultural activities accounted for 15% of fires, electrical cable short circuits 10%, whilst smaller percentages were recorded for fires caused by travellers (8%), domestic activities (5%) and waste burning (4%). Natural causes such as lightning represented only 5% of incidents.
A total of 168 forest fires were recorded in 2024 within the Forestry Department’s responsibility, with a total burned area of 462 hectares. Of these, only 37 hectares concerned state forest land, whilst remaining fires occurred within two kilometres of forest boundaries.
Notably, 81% of fires did not exceed one hectare in burned area, indicating immediate and effective intervention by firefighting forces. Only three fires exceeded 50 hectares, with the most serious recorded at Trimiklini-Laneia (130 hectares), Drousia (130 hectares) and Vasa Kellakiou (89 hectares).
Sustainable development plan maintains delicate balance
The Forestry Department defended its Sustainable Development Plan for the National Forest Park, describing it as achieving a delicate balance between environmental needs, local communities, business activities and state agencies.
The department explained that no party remained completely satisfied, but none felt entirely aggrieved. This created a fragile equilibrium that is now under threat, with any unilateral attempt to change the framework potentially triggering extreme reactions, including arson as a means of expressing dissatisfaction.
The plan accommodated views from government departments, environmental organisations, local authorities, residents, landowners, hunters, fishermen, vehicle rental and safari businesses, and other stakeholders.
Road network development aimed to organise and regulate movement, identified as perhaps the most serious threat to forest ecosystems. The department noted that safari and wild boar hunt drivers behave in the park as if on racing tracks, whilst uncontrolled movement by hunters occurs both for hunting and dog training purposes.
Compared to the 2014-2023 decade, a small decrease of 2.3% was recorded in the number of fires, alongside a significant 28.6% reduction in burned area. Average intervention time remained at 12 minutes, whilst average burned area per fire decreased to 2.7 hectares from 3.8 hectares in the previous decade.
The Forestry Department also supported the Fire Service, contributing to extinguishing an additional 91 agricultural and forest fires.
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