Civil Defence revamps evacuation plans and communication after 2025 Limassol wildfire
Following the devastating wildfire in the western Limassol mountains in July 2025, which claimed two lives and scorched over 100 square kilometers, Civil Defence has implemented significant changes to evacuation organization and coordination. The updated Polyvios evacuation plan for all communities was completed by March 2026, accompanied by strengthened communication measures including the distribution of portable radios to community leaders and the activation of emergency alert apps SAFE-CY and CY-ALERT.
The Interior Minister, Constantinos Ioannou, highlighted that prior to the fire, the updated Polyvios plan for Souni-Zanatzia was not tested, which hampered rescue efforts. The ministry has since initiated regular communication checks and evacuation exercises in Limassol district communities like Limnati and Fini, with more planned. Additionally, €10,000 was allocated for road maintenance in Sounio-Zanatzia to facilitate emergency response.
Weaknesses identified during the wildfire response include the exclusion of individual houses from the evacuation plan, complicating rescue operations. The state has allocated €63 million for recovery efforts, reflecting a broader commitment to improve disaster preparedness and resilience in the fire-affected regions.
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