Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Minister Nicos Kouyialis has commended the great effort undertaken by firefighters to put out fire fronts, saying that the situation is manageable.
The conflagration, Kouyialis said, referring to a massive fire which has been destroying large forest areas in the region of Solea in the Troodos mountain since Sunday and has resulted in the death of two forest firefighters, is not under control yet, adding that “even when it is we will continue our work.”
He also said that a great deal of work was achieved by ground forces last night. They placed under control many fire fronts and have ensured that the communities of Kourdali and Spilia are not in danger, he added.
A total of 18 firefighting aircraft have been operating in the region intensively since 0500 hours local time (0200 GMT), he said, adding that the work is coordinated between aircraft and ground firefighting forces.
A fire front which was approaching dangerously close on Tuesday the communities of Kourdali – Spilia in Nicosia District has been placed under control, and efforts are now focusing to contain another front heading towards the communities of Kannavia – Ayia Irini, Forest Department Spokesman Andreas Christou had told CNA earlier.
An official press release has also said that any flare – ups of the blaze during the night were successfully dealt with.
However, in the morning another three flare ups in the surrounding area one near Ayios Theodoros, one northeast of Kourdali and one between Kourdali and Spilia, were spotted. Ground and aircraft forces are operating in the area in an effort to deal with the flare – ups.
Replying to CNA questions, Christou said that the difficult fire front is the one heading towards the community of Kannavia and said that the majority of firefighting forces were trying to control that front.
Right now, he said, the winds are on our side, they are not strong, adding however that if the situation changes the outlook will not be so positive.
He explained that this type of fire, that is to say a forest fire which has wild growth entails many factors which cannot be foreseen in advance. One may almost manage to put the fire out but at the last minute everything can change, he pointed out.
This is why firefighting forces are here in great numbers trying to ensure that the blaze is placed under control, he said. Right now, he said replying to a question, there are over 50 fire engines, over 350 firefighters and there are also 18 aircraft participating in the effort.
In the meantime, a joint press release from the Volunteering Commissioner`s Office, the Department of Forests and the NGO Reaction said that what is needed is teams of volunteers who are trained, registered, are dressed appropriately (boots and long trousers and shirts) and have 4×4 vehicles. It also notes that no volunteers are needed before 1500 hrs.
Flare ups continue to be spotted throughout the day and the effort to combat them continues.
Two volunteers affected by the fire, one who presented respiratory problems and one with light burns are not thought to be in immediate danger.
A police press release notes that aircraft taking part in the firefighting operation “will be getting refueled with water today from Limassol Bay near the Vasilikos area.”
The exact area has been allocated and a marine police vessel is patrolling the area, the press release adds.
“People are advised to stay near the coast”, it notes, adding that “the same applies to boat and jet ski drivers, in order to avoid any unfortunate incidents.”