Newsroom / CNA
Firefighters have made progress against the wildfire that broke out following a National Guard live-fire exercise at the Kalo Chorio shooting range in Larnaca, but authorities say the operation remains challenging and a large-scale emergency response is still in place.
In its latest update on Monday evening, the Forestry Department said conditions had improved since the fire first broke out at 12.40pm, although the blaze has not yet been brought under control and remains difficult to contain.
The fire, which started inside the Kalo Chorio firing range before spreading beyond the military site, has developed into a major firefighting operation involving extensive ground and air resources.
A total of six firefighting aircraft and five helicopters are now taking part in water-dropping operations, double the number of aircraft deployed during the initial response earlier in the day.
The government has activated the national Ikaros II emergency plan, while a Crisis Management Coordination Team has been established at the Zenon Coordination Centre to oversee the response.
Ground operations have also been reinforced. The Forestry Department has deployed 70 personnel supported by 11 fire engines, three water tankers and two bulldozers. The Fire Service has assigned 32 firefighters with nine fire engines, while the District Administration has contributed two water tankers and two bulldozers. National Guard engineering units, Civil Defence, the Game and Fauna Service, volunteer groups and residents from nearby communities are also assisting.
As a precaution, authorities ordered the evacuation of homes in the communities of Agia Anna and Psevdas because of the seriousness of the situation.
The wildfire broke out after a National Guard live-fire exercise on another day of very high fire danger, with dry vegetation and hot weather continuing to create difficult conditions for firefighting crews.
