A large wildfire broke out at the Kalo Chorio military firing range in Larnaca shortly after 14:00 on Monday, 27 July, when live-fire exercises ignited tinder-dry scrub. Within minutes, strong winds pushed the flames beyond the perimeter fence toward the villages of Agia Anna and Psevdas, prompting the Fire Service to deploy ground crews, forestry teams and three fixed-wing aircraft. By late afternoon, authorities issued evacuation orders for several hamlets as smoke reduced visibility on the Larnaca–Lefkara road, a key tourist and logistics artery linking the coast with the Troodos foothills. The Forestry Department assumed command of the operation while police set up checkpoints and diverted traffic through Klavdia and Athienou. No injuries were reported, but officials warned that continued high temperatures and low humidity could cause flare-ups overnight. The blaze comes amid Cyprus’s worst wildfire season since 2021, with 320 hectares already burned island-wide this month. The National Guard has opened an internal investigation into whether safety protocols—including mandatory post-exercise patrols—were properly followed. Defence analysts note that live-fire training increases during the summer when reservists return from abroad, making strict risk assessments essential near populated areas. For employers, the disruption underscores the need for robust travel-risk management. Companies with staff in Larnaca’s industrial zone reported delivery delays as trucks were rerouted, and one pharmaceutical plant temporarily suspended afternoon shifts because smoke triggered its air-quality alarms. Tourism operators transferred some beach-resort guests by shuttle to avoid the affected road segment, adding 40 minutes to the airport run. Civil-defence officials advise travellers to download the “112 Cyprus” app for real-time evacuation alerts and to carry photo ID in case police checkpoints restrict access to burn zones. With extreme-heat warnings in place until at least Thursday, business travellers should allow extra travel time when transiting between Larnaca, Nicosia and Limassol, and review contingency plans for possible airport diversions if visibility deteriorates.
Source: KNEWS
