A fire that started at the Kalo Chorio Shooting Range, in Larnaca District, was brought under full control at 19:30 local time on Monday, burning 120 hectares of wild vegetation, the Forestry Department announced.
A huge operation took place and a total of 100 firefighters from the Forestry Department with 11 fire trucks, three tankers and two bulldozers 40 firefighters from the Fire Department with nine fire trucks, a strong police force, 10 people from the District Administration with two water tankers and two bulldozers, 12 National Guard personnel with two bulldozers, 50 officers from the Civil Defense, 11 officers from the Wildlife Service and 6 persons from the Ambulance Service.
Volunteer groups and residents from the local communities also participated in the extinguishing operation.
A crisis management center was set up in the area for better coordination. The government services developed Ikaros National Plan with six firefighting planes and five helicopters.
Strong firefighting forces will remain at the area the whole night for security purposes.
Director of the Forestry Department, Savvas Iezekiel, spoke of “superhuman” firefighting efforts due to the difficult conditions faced.
Fire Service Spokesperson Andreas Kettis also said that the operation was extremely difficult due to strong winds, the terrain morphology and the vegetation, and the primary goal was to protect the communities of Psevdas and Agia Anna.
Replying to a question Kettis said that the Fire Service is particularly vigilant when operating within the Kalo Chorio firing range, adding that there were incidents in the past where firefighters’ lives were threatened.
He noted that the incident will obviously be investigated by the Ministry of Defense.
In statements, in Nicosia, the Minister of Defense Vassilis Palmas said that the personnel showed an unprofessional stance during the destruction of RPG missiles at the firing range. He expressed his irritation for the incident, noting that certain people bear responsibilities. He went on to say that responsibility for the outbreak of this fire lies with the 70th Engineer Battalion.
The Minister noted that he already ordered an investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the incident.