Newsroom
The Forest Department has raised serious allegations that many wildfires in the Akamas region may be acts of arson committed in retaliation over state decisions.
In a strongly worded and self-critical letter responding to a special report from the Audit Office, the department defended the planning and philosophy behind the Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) for the State Forest Area (SFA) in Akamas. It also warned of the risks posed by potential destabilization in the region, according to a Phileleftheros report by journalist Angelos Nikolaou.
Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 179 fires were recorded in the Akamas area under the department’s jurisdiction. Of those, 125, about 70%, were classified as malicious.
“There is a phenomenon in Cyprus,” the department stated, “where individuals dissatisfied with decisions or actions by the state that affect their personal interests resort to setting fires as a form of revenge.”
The department called arson one of the most serious threats facing the region.
Akamas draws more than one million visitors annually, with the peak season falling between May and October — a time of heightened fire risk. The department warned that uncontrolled access to the area by hunters, day-trippers, and commercial “safari”-style operations increases the danger of wildfires.
Citing official 2024 statistics, Phileleftheros reported that arson is the leading cause of wildfires, responsible for 27% of recorded cases. Fires linked to agricultural activities accounted for 15%, followed by electrical cable short circuits at 10%. Additional causes include travelers (8%), household activities (5%), and waste burning (4%). Natural causes such as lightning strikes were responsible for just 5%.
