Uncontrolled Fire Rages Near Kili, Paphos Community Leader Reports

uncontrolled fire — The uncontrolled fire continues to blaze between Kili and Stroumbi in the Paphos district, with local community leader Michalis Efthymiou highlighting the challenges faced by fire crews. The fire ignited around 10am and has since posed difficulties for fire trucks attempting to reach the site.

As it stands, seven fire trucks from the Paphos district have been mobilised to tackle the flames. Fire service spokesman Andreas Kettis confirmed that additional support includes two fire engines and a specialised team from the Emak unit, which is trained to access difficult terrain. The forestry department has also dispatched one fire engine and two earthmovers, with two more earthmovers leased from the provincial administration to assist in the firefighting efforts.

To enhance coordination, an advanced control centre has been established in Stroumbi’s central square. Kettis noted that an active fire front has reignited to the west and is advancing northwest, prompting the redirection of significant resources to contain the blaze.

On the ground, the Limassol district fire chief is already present, while the operations director will be arriving shortly. A helicopter from the air operations unit is en route to provide aerial support, and organised volunteer groups have been enlisted to bolster extinguishing efforts. Despite these measures, Efthymiou expressed concern over the lack of available aircraft, stating that more should have been deployed to manage the situation effectively.

Efthymiou described the devastation caused by the fire, which has ravaged many years of cypress forest. He emphasised that the fire broke out in an area so remote that it could only have been ignited by someone on foot, attributing the incident to human factors. However, he assured that the homes within both communities are not under threat.

The Kili community leader also pointed out the unusual timing of such fires occurring in November, attributing it to abnormally high temperatures experienced on that day. The situation remains dynamic, and local officials are working tirelessly to combat the flames and safeguard the surrounding areas.