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Over 90% of Wildfires in Cyprus Caused by Human Factor

Published March 12, 2026, 17:11
Over 90% of Wildfires in Cyprus Caused by Human Factor

The Cyprus Fire Service responded to 13,401 incidents in 2025, including 7,154 fires, marking a 4.94% increase compared to 2024. According to Chief Fire Officer Nikos Longinos, over 90% of wildfires are caused by human factors, mainly after 7 pm, highlighting the need for 24-hour operation of fire stations in rural areas. An increase of 4.31% was observed in urban fires and 8.81% in wildfires. During 2025, 20 rescues were carried out, while 10 people lost their lives in fires, mainly in the province of Limassol. In addition, inspections were carried out in entertainment centers and industrial facilities, with 53% of entertainment centers and 73.75% of industrial facilities not meeting fire safety measures. The Fire Service has 13 aerial vehicles available to deal with fires during the summer period.