Limassol: The devastating wildfire that erupted in the Limassol district on 23 July has been estimated to have scorched a total of 120.7 km², a significant portion of the island’s landscape.
According to Cyprus News Agency, this constitutes approximately 1.3% of Cyprus’ total land area, which is 9,251 km². The wildfire has had a profound impact on the region’s biodiversity and natural heritage.
The press release highlighted that the repercussions of this single wildfire extend beyond the immediate environmental damage. The affected areas encompass local communities and ecosystems, which are projected to take decades to recover. The Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence based its findings on high-resolution satellite data from the PlanetScope constellation, captured on 26 July 2025.
Additionally, according to data from the WorldCover programme of the European Space Agency (ESA), the burned area comprises various land types: approximately 51% grasslands, 31% shrubland, 15.5% forested areas, and 1.1% residential areas. Furthermore, about 21% of the affected area is part of the Natura 2000 network, impacting protected sites such as the Paramaliou River, Cha-Potami Special Protection Area, and the Limmati Valley Special Protection Area.