A wildfire is burning in an area of the Arsos community in the Limassol district, consuming dry grass, wild vegetation and trees as winds fan the flames.
The Fire Service said three crewed fire engines from Limassol’s rural stations and three hired bulldozers responded initially, along with five firefighting aircraft. The Department of Forests has been called in to help, and the Game and Fauna Service and organised volunteer groups have also been mobilised. Further vehicles and personnel are being sent to the scene, along with additional bulldozers if needed.
Ground forces are expected to be reinforced further with additional vehicles and personnel from Limassol. The Fire Service is also recalling off-duty staff to maintain operational cover in Limassol town, and has notified Civil Defence to send additional forces. The Chief Fire Officer is overseeing the response from the Fire Service’s Operations Coordination Centre at its headquarters.
According to the Department of Forests, operational responsibility for the fire lies with the Fire Service, which the department is supporting with six fire engines and one large water tanker, coordinated by the Regional Forest Officer for Troodos.
Twenty-one Greek forest firefighters currently in Cyprus under the European Union’s pre-positioning programme for firefighting forces are also assisting at the scene. It is the first real fire the Greek mission has responded to during its fortnight-long stay in Cyprus, which is due to end on September 16, 2026, when the team returns to Greece.
