Paris Demetriades
"If you come up here, you'll definitely be rewarded because you'll be able to see almost the entire eastern side of the Troodos forest," Forestry Officer Christodoulos Christodoulou told me over the phone two days before I made the climb to the Madari fire lookout tower, which stands at an elevation of 1,612 meters near the villages of Kyperounta, Polystypos and Chandria.
The reward turned out to be even greater than expected. The lookout tower sits in a remarkable location with an almost uninterrupted 360-degree view. From the summit, visitors can see not only the eastern slopes of the Troodos mountain range, but also the Solea and Marathasa valleys, Morphou Bay, Nicosia and even Larnaca, Limassol and Akrotiri Salt Lake. On exceptionally clear days, the mountains of Turkey can also be seen across the sea.
This sweeping view allows observers to detect smoke from fires many miles away. I witnessed that firsthand during my visit when the major wildfire at Kalo Chorio in Larnaca broke out. As the situation unfolded, the fire lookout spotted the first signs of smoke rising from the Larnaca area in its earliest stages and immediately followed the required reporting procedures.
From this location, a vast area is monitored, stretching from Spilia, Agios Theodoros Soleas, Nikitari and Kannavia to Agia Marina Xyliatou, Kato Moni, Mitsero and Agios Epifanios. It also has a clear line of sight over the Solea and Marathasa valleys, as well as other areas where forest stations and fire lookout towers are in operation.
Most fire lookout towers operate every day during periods of high fire danger, while several strategically located towers remain staffed around the clock.
From Madari, a vast area is monitored, stretching from Spilia, Agios Theodoros Soleas, Nikitari and Kannavia to Agia Marina Xyliatou, Kato Moni, Mitsero and Agios Epifanios. The location also has a clear line of sight to the Solea and Marathasa valleys, along with other forest stations and lookout towers.
Once Christodoulou confirmed that the smoke had been reported correctly, we began talking about the role these towers play in detecting forest fires as early as possible. Based at the Agia Marina Xyliatou Forest Station, he explained that the Madari lookout is one of the Department of Forests' most important observation points.
A system dating back to 1931
Christodoulou explained that a fire lookout tower is a permanent observation post built on mountain peaks or ridgelines to provide the best possible visibility. Its primary purpose is to detect smoke or any sign of a developing wildfire as quickly as possible. The system has been in place for decades. "It existed even before the Republic of Cyprus gained independence," he said. "The Madari lookout was first built in 1931 as a simple structure. Road access was completed in 1968, and the facilities were upgraded. Today it is equipped with modern communication systems that keep it connected with nearby forest stations and other observation points through advanced technology." He emphasized that fire lookouts are not responsible for putting out fires. Their job is to maintain constant surveillance and quickly relay accurate information to firefighting crews. "Early information is our most valuable tool," he said.
“A responsible and experienced observer can, with just one timely report, help save not only a forest but an entire community,” says Forest Officer Christodoulos Christodoulou.
According to Christodoulou, the value of a fire lookout extends well beyond protecting forests. A timely report can prevent an entire community from being devastated, especially when a fire starts inside or near residential areas. "Many fires begin within or very close to mountain and semi-mountainous villages. The sooner they are detected, the better the chances of containing them before they grow. There have also been many occasions when fires that started in the buffer zone or the occupied areas were detected early by our lookout towers and brought under control before they spread into government-controlled areas." He said a skilled observer can make an enormous difference. "A responsible and experienced observer can, with a single timely report, help save not only a forest but an entire community."
Christodoulou also described the close cooperation between the Department of Forests and other government agencies, including the Public Works Department, the Water Development Department, District Administrations and other public organizations. Many government maintenance vehicles carry water tanks and basic firefighting equipment, allowing crews to provide immediate assistance whenever needed. "They are essentially extra eyes and hands in the countryside," he said.
Asked what qualities a fire lookout should have, Christodoulou said the most important requirement is a genuine love for forests and respect for the environment. Observers also need exceptional attention to detail, the ability to spot even the slightest change in the landscape, the composure to remain calm under pressure and the communication skills to relay information clearly and accurately. An excellent knowledge of the surrounding area is equally important so they can identify the exact location of any incident.
Wildfires caused by negligence within forests have declined significantly, while more and more visitors recognize that they also share responsibility for protecting Cyprus' natural heritage.
Christodoulou pointed to several cases where fire lookouts played a critical role, including the 2024 wildfires near Farmakas. In that case, the Koroni lookout tower detected smoke early and alerted ground crews, allowing firefighters to respond quickly and significantly limit the spread of the fire.
He said public awareness has improved noticeably in recent years. The number of forest fires caused by negligence has fallen significantly, and more visitors now recognize that they also have a responsibility to protect Cyprus' natural environment. "We want every citizen to feel like a guardian of the forest," he said.
Additional information
Despite advances in technology, direct human observation remains one of the fastest ways to detect new wildfires in Cyprus' mountainous regions. When a wildfire breaks out, even a few minutes can make the difference between a small, manageable fire and a major disaster. During the fire season, most lookout towers are staffed every day during periods of high fire danger, while several strategic towers operate 24 hours a day, especially when conditions become extreme.
Cyprus' best-known fire lookout towers:
- Madari
- Troodos (Mount Olympus)
- Stavros tis Psokas
- Kionia
- Adelfoi
According to the Department of Forests, the lookout towers were positioned so that nearly every forested area can be observed from more than one observation point.
