Nicosia: Cyprus must strengthen its participation in European forest fire prevention and preparedness programs, Zacharias Yiakoumis, Head of Communication for the EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), said on Wednesday, during a press briefing in Nicosia, via a videoconference.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Yiakoumis stated that while Cyprus plays an active role in emergency management, it is not currently involved in any of the twelve EU Civil Protection Mechanism-funded prevention projects. These projects, valued at £7 million, aim to enhance national preparedness and resilience against large wildfires. The Commission is encouraging Cyprus, along with all member states, to identify and engage in relevant actions.
Yiakoumis highlighted that in 2024, there have been approximately 3,000 burned hectares and thirteen large fires in areas exceeding 30 hectares in Cyprus. Although this figure is higher than in 2023, it remains significantly lower than in 2021. Since 2014, Cyprus has requested assistance from the European Civil Protection Mechanism nine times, primarily for forest fires, and has provided assistance to other countries nineteen times, demonstrating its dual role as both a recipient and provider of support.
Based on the European Forest Fire Monitoring System’s assessment and predicted weather conditions, there is a significant risk of fires in Central Europe and the Mediterranean this summer. Yiakoumis noted that 2024 has already been recorded as the warmest year in history, with burned areas reaching approximately 400,000 hectares. Last year, Portugal was the most affected country.
To combat the growing threat, the European Union is enhancing its firefighting capabilities through the Civil Protection Mechanism and RescEU. By 2025, 26 aircraft are planned to be mobilized by countries such as France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Cyprus. The EU will cover both transport costs and 75% of the operational costs for these aircraft, which will be available from June 15 to October 31.
Additionally, the procurement and integration of twelve new Canadair aircraft into the permanent RescEU fleet will commence in 2027, with the first of five helicopters expected in 2026. These resources will be hosted in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece. The pre-deployment program for firefighters, initiated in 2022, will continue for the fourth consecutive year. This year, 641 firefighters from 14 countries will be deployed in Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal, with their expenses covered by the EU.
Yiakoumis emphasized the importance of this program for the host countries and the training and experience gained by participating firefighters, which they can transfer back to their countries. The European Commission is also taking steps to enhance prevention policies, supporting member states in scaling up their preventive measures. Currently, there are 12 projects in progress, although Cyprus is not participating at this stage.
Yiakoumis encouraged Cyprus and all member states to engage in actions such as peer reviews for national fire prevention and management strategies. This process offers technical and strategic support through the exchange of know-how, aiming to strengthen resilience and preparedness. The EU’s broader strategy, the ‘Preparedness Union’ initiative, promotes specific actions for forest fire management, including strengthening firefighting resources, developing early warning systems, and preparing citizens for crisis situations.
The European Commission presented these measures to enhance fire protection and natural disaster management on May 26, with coordinated presentations across all member states.