Number of rural fires on their way down

By Angelos Anastasiou

THE number of rural fires in the three months from May to July has significantly decreased by 48.1 per cent compared to the same months last year, according to Fire Service acting chief Marcos Trangolas.

He said that patrols in rural areas will be enhanced by police patrols, as well as volunteer rural watchmen, an initiative that came to life last Friday, in collaboration with the non-profit group Reaction Youth for the Prevention.

In comments to the Cyprus News Agency, Trangolas stressed the magnitude of risks posed by fires and pointed out that the Fire Service places great emphasis on preventing fires in August, which has proven critical over the last years.

Upon spotting a fire, citizens should notify the service on 112 or 199, or the Forestry Department on 1407.

Month-to-month statistics indicate that rural fires in May dropped to 228 from 541 a year earlier – a decrease of 57.8 per cent. June showed a lower drop of 41 per cent from 477 rural fires last year to 281 in 2014. In July, the rate of decrease ticked up to 43.2 per cent, with rural fires falling from 382 in 2013 to 217 this year.

In rural areas, Trangolas said, the Fire Service operates 19 fire stations and 20 observatories. These are manned by 172 seasonal firemen – up from 120 in previous years – all of whom operate under the direct instructions of the permanent staff in charge of rural stations.

The Fire Service chief deemed Cyprus’ firefighting aircraft, as well as fleet of vehicles, as satisfactory.

“However, the extent to which they are satisfactory depends on the number and scope of the fires that could break out simultaneously across Cyprus, in combination with the weather,” Trangolas said.

Causing a rural fire, whether negligently or intentionally, is an offence punishable by up to three years imprisonment, a €8,543 fine, or both.

“The message we want to pass to everyone is that the issue of fires is a social one, as it risks lives, property and the environment,” Trangolas said. “Everyone’s contribution and cooperation in prevention is vital. If we keep up the rate of decrease, by the end of November we will have prevented over 2,000 rural fires compared to last year.”

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