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Ferocious wildfires continue to sweep through the mountainous regions of Limassol and Paphos on Wednesday, scorching homes, cutting power, and prompting mass evacuations across dozens of villages as Cyprus faces one of the most dangerous fire emergencies in recent memory.
Driven by strong winds and dry summer heat, the fires spread rapidly across multiple fronts, overwhelming local firefighting efforts and leading authorities to call for international assistance. By nightfall, the damage was widespread, entire communities were emptied, and residents and officials pleaded for swift intervention.
President Nikos Christodoulides, speaking from the national Coordination Center just after 8 p.m., made a direct appeal to the public.
“Our top priority is to prevent any loss of life,” Christodoulides said. “People must follow the instructions of the experts and evacuate their homes. I call for cooperation from everyone.” The president emphasized that this was not the time to assess blame or evaluate the damage, but rather to focus on protecting lives.
Earlier in the evening, flames engulfed the heart of Lofou, a traditional stone-built village in Limassol. Fire Service spokesperson Andreas Kettis said the close proximity of homes contributed to the rapid spread. “The core of Lofou is burning,” he reported, adding that the local campsite had been evacuated and children were safely transported by parent associations.
Other villages weren’t spared. In Vasa Koilaniou, residents were left to battle the advancing flames themselves after reporting that no fire crews had yet arrived.
“We haven’t seen a fire truck yet. No aerial drops have taken place either,” said community leader Michalis Mosfilis. “Several homes have already been destroyed, and a hotel unit is burning.” Electricity and water supplies were cut off, leaving the community defenseless and frustrated.
The blaze had already damaged homes in Vouni and Vasa by mid-afternoon. Civil Defense teams coordinated evacuations in Potamiou, Koilani, Pera Pedi, and other nearby areas, with police urging residents to obey evacuation orders. Roads leading to and from the fire zone, including those between Mallia–Omodos and Mallia–Arsos, were closed to facilitate the operations.
The scale of the threat prompted Cyprus to activate the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism and reach out to neighboring countries for help. The government confirmed that Jordan had responded positively and would send two firefighting aircraft to assist.
A large active fire front was also moving between Agia Mavri and Koilani, with additional outbreaks near Vouni and Vasa Koilaniou. Kettis noted that both the Fire Service and Forestry Department were working to protect communities and limit further spread.
The danger wasn’t confined to Limassol. In Paphos, a landfill fire in Agia Marinouda broke containment, pushed by wind toward Agia Varvara, prompting further evacuations. That blaze remained “out of control,” authorities confirmed, as firefighting units from Paphos and the Game and Fauna Service deployed to the scene.
As the fires spread, widespread power outages were reported, including in Choletres and surrounding areas, after power stations were affected by the flames. By early evening, 13 aerial firefighting units were active, with a 14th coordinating operations. Reinforcements were rushed in from Larnaca, Paphos, and the EMAK disaster response unit.
Medical services were also on high alert. One person suffering from extensive burns was stabilized on-site and transferred to Limassol General Hospital. Emergency departments across public hospitals, including the burns unit at Nicosia General, were placed on full readiness. Medevac helicopters with specialized nurses were stationed at key points, ready to transport critically injured patients.
Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis traveled to the fire zone earlier in the day and confirmed Cyprus' formal request for assistance from European and regional allies. “All available resources have been activated,” a government spokesperson said.
Despite initial resistance in some villages, most residents complied with evacuation orders as the fires closed in. Civil Defense teams and local officials worked into the evening to secure safe passage for evacuees.
As night fell over the mountains, smoke still blanketed the hills and flames illuminated the darkened skies over the Troodos range. The full extent of the destruction remains unknown, but homes have been lost, natural landscapes ravaged, and entire communities displaced.
President Christodoulides closed his evening remarks with a message of unity and urgency: “This is not the time for analysis. It’s a time for action, for protection, and for solidarity.”
With information from Kairofiloi Kyprou, KitasWeather, CNA, 24News.
