The Fire Service on Friday said blazes it battled in the Paphos district earlier this week had been the result of the deliberate bring of weeds and rubbish, and renewed its plea people stop the dangerous practice.
According to a Service announcement the Thursday afternoon fires in Droushia and between the villages of Choli and Skoulli.
Six fire trucks and the Service’s aircraft were used to battle the blaze at Droushia but were only able to bring it under control after it had destroyed some four hectares of brush and trees.
The fire in a difficult to reach area between Choli and Skoulli destroyed a similar stretch of land and also damaged a number of electricity poles.
The Fire Service reminded the public that the burning of weeds and other unwanted items is forbidden, especially at this time of year, and called on people someone lighting a bonfire to notify the authorities on 112 or 1407.
Earlier this summer, over 180 square kilometres of forest was destroyed in the Troodos area after a number of smaller fires became out of the control. At least some were the result of people setting bonfires to burn rubbish. Two fire-fighters lost their lives in the line of duty after their vehicle went off the road and overturned.
Source: in-cyprus.com
