Cyprus: a change of mindset in wildfire prevention?

Wildfires pose a serious threat to the environment and the economy of Cyprus, including summer tourism. Between institutional delays and cooperation efforts between the Greek and Turkish communities, the country needs prevention and a paradigm shift

Fueled by record-high temperatures and dry conditions, summer wildfires in Cyprus this year left a trail of destruction in their wake, engulfing homes, farmland, and swathes of forest. Authorities and firefighting teams faced challenges due to strong winds that exacerbated the spread of the flames. Efforts to control the fires involved local firefighters as well as assistance from neighboring countries.

Evacuations were carried out to ensure the safety of residents, while there were concerns about the impact on wildlife and the environment.

“When the wildfire broke, I wasn’t surprised”, says Eleftheria P., who works at the Paphos airport. The woman, born and bred in the region, was on duty on Tuesday 11 June 2024, when the wildfire spiraled out of control, threatening the villages of Houlou and Lemonas, which got evacuated. 

“Cyprus and its people always suffer from fires at this time of the year, but no one does anything to prevent this”, she continues. “We expected this to happen, we just didn’t expect it to happen so early in the summer and at such length. But at the same time, the last months have been extremely hot, nothing like we have ever experienced before”. 

Protecting the natural landscapes that are vital to Cyprus's touristic and agricultural sectors also safeguards the island's economy. Except for destroying valuable agricultural land, the 2024 Paphos wildfire also threatened tourism, a cornerstone of the local economy. George A. owes a family hotel at the Peyia region of Paphos. When asked about the impact that the fire has had on local tourism, he appeared thoughtful: “We are among the lucky ones”, he sighs. “I know people whose houses and orchards got burnt down. Their animals were killed. Our business didn’t suffer any losses. In this sense, thankfully, we were not affected”.

A recourrent scourge

OBCT talked to locals, most of whom are active in the tourism sector through different capacities. All respondents expressed bitterness over the fact that wildfires have become a scourge affecting the island every summer. Local people talked of limited state preparedness and absence of an organized national plan, deficiencies that were also largely exposed in popular Cypriot newspapers .

While wildfires are not new to Cyprus, it is true that their number and magnitude have been increasing in the last years. With 13 serious incidents so far, 2024 has been the second-worst year in terms of number of wildfires after the dreadful year of 2020. The same goes for the width of the burned area, which has been around 3500 hectares per year during the last five years (a surface roughly equivalent to one fifth of the municipality of Milan) – almost a threefold increase compared to the previous decade. 

Paphos is particularly susceptible to wildfires due to a combination of its Mediterranean climate and dense forested areas. The region experiences long, dry summers with high temperatures and strong winds, creating conditions that heighten fire risk. This climate, typical of Cyprus’s coastal areas, leads to low humidity and high temperatures from May to October, drying out vegetation and making it more prone to ignition.

The Paphos Forest, covering much of the region, is one of Cyprus’s largest and densest forested areas. It is rich in pine, cypress, and other vegetation types that are highly flammable, especially under extended heat. Human activity also contributes significantly to wildfire risk in Paphos.

Tourism and recreational activities increase during summer, and even minor negligent behaviors, such as improper disposal of cigarettes or barbecues, can start fires. Urban encroachment into forested areas also increases vulnerability, as homes and infrastructure near forests are at higher risk of damage.

Gaps, deficiencies and last-minute efforts

Traditionally, fire management in Cyprus has relied heavily on reactive measures—firefighting efforts that, despite their bravery, often struggle to contain blazes once they gain momentum.

Nevertheless, evidence shows that in the near future, last-minute responses and human courage will not be enough to tackle the new challenges that lie ahead: A 2024 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) warns of the risks on public health posed by “long scorching summers, and increasingly extreme periods of hot temperatures” in Cyprus, all related to the impacts of climate change on the island.

Previous research  conducted in 2023 by the CARE-C Centre of Excellence for Climate and Atmospheric Research at the Cyprus Institute foresees that Cyprus will be among the Мediterranean countries that will be the most affected by climate change in the near future.

Existing academia on wildfire management governance in Cyprus highlights the need for drastic measures to be taken, starting with a radical change in mindset. A recent study by Kirschner et al. (2024) emphasizes the need for reform in wildfire preparedness and response frameworks on the island.

The study identifies gaps in coordination among agencies and limited data-sharing practices as critical challenges to effective wildfire response. Kirschner's research proposes a governance model that encourages collaboration across multiple government levels and improves fire prediction, monitoring, and resource allocation.