The Department of Forests has recommended a complete restructuring of the rural fire management system following an evaluation of the 23 July fire at Malia, according to a report submitted to the President of the Republic.
The assessment found that the current system outside forest areas suffers from fragmented responsibilities, lack of unified coordination and institutional weaknesses that have persisted over time.
The report states that whilst the Department of Forests responded effectively to its duties under extremely adverse conditions, the need for restructuring fire management systems in non-forest areas has become urgent.
The fire broke out in an area outside the Department of Forests’ zone of responsibility, with the main problem identified as dysfunction and fragmented responsibility within the existing rural fire response mechanism.
This represents a chronic gap that was also highlighted during the 2021 Arakapas fire.
The Malia blaze spread at rapid rates of approximately 8 to 10 square kilometres per hour during the first ten hours. Operational coordination was undertaken by the Chief Fire Officer, with activation of the “PYRSOS” and “IKAROS II” emergency plans.
Continuous communication was maintained with the Department of Forests, which took responsibility for the critical northeastern flank to protect communities and prevent extension into the Troodos Mountains.
According to the evaluation, the existing system outside forests suffers from fragmented jurisdictions, absence of unified coordination and institutional weaknesses that recur chronologically.
The report emphasises that despite the Department of Forests’ effective response under exceptionally adverse conditions, the urgent need for restructuring the management system for areas outside forest zones has become imperative.
