Nicosia: Fire prevention will be the focal point of a crucial meeting scheduled for Tuesday, as announced by Chief Fire Officer Nikos Logginos, the National Fire Coordinator. The gathering aims to address preventive measures in response to the prevailing high temperatures and impending heat wave. According to Cyprus News Agency, Andreas Kettis, Spokesman of the Cyprus Fire Service, stated on Saturday that the meeting is set to take place at the Coordination Center of the Fire Service Headquarters and will include the participation of all relevant services. "The purpose is to decide on the emergency measures that we must take, based on meteorological data and the forecast that indicates the coming days will be challenging," Kettis explained. The Fire Service is poised to exert significant effort to prevent fires and respond efficiently to any emergencies that arise. Kettis emphasized the complexity of fire management, noting that "every fire has a different dynamic, and some can surpass the response system, making them difficult to control." He further stressed the importance of prevention, stating that the cost of potential damage from a large fire far outweighs the expenses associated with preventive actions. Reflecting on past incidents, Kettis shared that in 2026, the Fire Service dealt with 1,350 fires, over 10% of which had the potential to become disastrous. He pointed out that a large number of fires result from negligence and urged the public to be cautious with activities such as discarding cigarettes, intentional burning, outdoor work with hot tools, and improper disposal of garbage, which can ignite fires. Kettis warned that the current environmental conditions are ripe for fires to start and spread rapidly, and some fires may even be deliberate acts of arson. He encouraged the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cooperate with authorities to prevent malicious acts. The complexity of managing fires was underscored by Kettis, who highlighted factors such as humidity, type a nd amount of flammable material, soil conditions, and wind as critical elements in fire behavior. He also mentioned the activation of the Public Warning System - CY-Alert on June 2, which aims to enhance communication during emergencies. To bolster communication during fire emergencies, the Civil Defence has established communication groups with community leaders and councils and provided 39 new wireless communication devices to high-risk areas, ensuring seamless communication in critical situations.