Forest Department investigates recurring fires in Paphos

The Director of the Cyprus Forest Department, Savvas Iezekiel, has raised serious concerns regarding a recurring pattern of fires in the Paphos district. Following recent fires in Lysos, Iezekiel identified a 'triangle' of frequent fire activity spanning the areas of Drousiá, Prodromi, Skoulli, and Lysos.

Iezekiel noted that two fire spots were recorded approximately 500 meters apart in Lysos, leading to suspicions of intentional arson. He has ordered an analysis of fires in this specific region over the last decade to determine the cause of these repeated incidents. He emphasized that while human error involving tools that create sparks remains a major factor, the frequency and pattern in this area suggest something more systematic is occurring.

Additionally, the Department warned against complacency following recent rainfall in higher mountainous areas. Due to high temperatures, the ground dries quickly, and the risk of 'dry lightning'—lightning strikes that occur without accompanying rainfall—remains a significant threat for igniting immediate wildfires.