Cyprus fire brigade chief Nikos Longinos has called on the public to avoid fire-causing activities as the island enters its peak summer firefighting season. Preparations, ongoing since April, include stationing 13 firefighting aircraft across key locations such as Paphos, Akrotiri, and Larnaca. Surveillance cameras have been installed in several rural areas to enhance early detection capabilities.

Efforts to strengthen fire response include clearing firebreaks, inspecting water tanks and hydrants, and deploying additional personnel to countryside fire stations. Civil defence officers have initiated evacuation exercises supported by the operational CY Alert warning system. A new €7 million fire brigade operations centre is now fully functional, with plans to integrate artificial intelligence monitoring to detect smoke early in future seasons.

The fire brigade is also expanding cooperation with volunteer groups, having trained over 400 volunteers and maintaining communication with 11 registered organizations. These comprehensive measures aim to reduce the risk and severity of wildfires, ensuring faster and more effective responses if fires occur.