A fast-moving wildfire that erupted at the National Guard’s Kalo Chorio firing range on Monday afternoon led to the temporary closure of the Kalo Chorio–Psevdas road, a key feeder route to Larnaca International Airport from the island’s interior. Police ordered residents of Psevdas and the nearby village of Ayia Anna to evacuate and urged the public to avoid the area “for their own safety and to ensure unhindered movement of firefighting forces.” By 19:45 local time the Fire Service declared the blaze “contained”, but Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas told reporters an investigation had been opened after live-fire exercises were allegedly conducted despite a 40°C heatwave. The incident reignited criticism of summer training protocols and highlighted the vulnerability of Cyprus’ transport corridors to climate-driven emergencies. For travellers and transfer operators, the closure added up to 25 minutes to journeys between Nicosia and Larnaca airport during the evening peak. Several shuttle companies rerouted buses via Athienou, while ride-hailing apps issued surge-price notices as drivers diverted around smoke-blanketed zones. Hermes Airports confirmed that no flights were delayed but advised passengers departing on Tuesday morning to allow extra time in case of renewed flare-ups. Tour operators with tight connection windows—particularly those ferrying cruise passengers to Larnaca for onward flights—should review contingency plans as Cyprus enters the height of its wildfire season (April-October). The Civil Defence Department has already issued four red-alert days this month, the highest number recorded in July since 2021, underscoring the growing operational risk for mobility-dependent sectors. Authorities reopened the Psevdas road shortly before midnight after mop-up teams declared “no active front”, yet residents were warned that hotspots could reignite. The episode serves as a reminder that extreme weather events can disrupt inland access to the island’s primary international gateway, and that real-time route-monitoring should now be standard practice for corporate travel managers.
Source: Cyprus Mail
