Forest authorities have placed Cyprus on maximum wildfire surveillance in view of the August 15 holiday, warning that the risk of fires breaking out and spreading rapidly is on critical “Red Alert” level this Saturday. With thousands of people expected to take advantage of the weekend by heading outdoors, officials are urging extreme vigilance to prevent potentially catastrophic blazes across natural reserves and countryside areas.
In an urgent appeal, the Department of Forests called on all visitors to exercise heightened caution and strictly avoid any activity that could spark a fire. The public is explicitly instructed to refrain from lighting open flames, using electrical tools that produce sparks or heat, and discarding lit matches or cigarette butts in or near vegetated zones.
Preparing food using fire is strictly permitted only within designated barbecue facilities located inside official picnic sites, the department warned. Operating open fires anywhere outside these authorized zones is illegal, and authorities reminded the public that igniting a fire constitutes a severe criminal offense under the Forest Law and the Countryside Fire Prevention legislation, both of which carry heavy fines and prison sentences.
Members of the public who observe smoke, an active fire, or suspicious activity in woodland areas are urged to report it immediately by dialing 1407 for the Department of Forests or 112 for the Emergency Fire Service.
CNA/EC/GV/NST/EPH/2026
