President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides was briefed on Friday evening on the wildfire that is raging in the Limassol District and thanked Jordan and Israel for responding to Cyprus' request for aid.
The blaze, that broke out at around 1400, is raging between the communities of Apesia, Korfi and Paramytha in the Limassol District. Authorities have activated the Ikaros 2 contingency plan, while a coordination center was set up in the area of the Limnatis village.
The President, who went to the coordination center, was informed about the situation first hand.
In his statements to the press, President Christodoulides congratulated everyone who is in the firefighting efforts, saying that he was very impressed by their professionalism.
All forces are fighting the blaze, he said, the Fire Service, the Game and Fauna Service, the Police, the Civil Defence, the Forests Department. The efforts are being coordinated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture following a relevant decision by the Council of Ministers.
The President thanked the governments of Israel and Jordan who immediately responded to Cyprus' request for assistance, and said that Jordan's assistance will arrive tomorrow morning, while Israel will be on stand by depending on the developments.
We also have received a willingness on behalf of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, if we wish for them to help in the effort, he went on to say.
Based on the situation, he said, decisions will be made as to how to proceed.
He noted that some people were asked to evacuate their homes, stressing that protecting human lives is the priority in such situations.
The cause of the blaze is not known yet, but the President said that we must all be very cautious, noting that many fires break out due to the human factor.
Replying to questions, he said that the government may introduce stricter penalties and said that there is also need for technology with the use of cameras.
Meanwhile, Government Spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis told CNA that three helicopters from Jordan - two Super Puma and one Mi-26 - are expected to arrive tomorrow morning to assist with the firefighting efforts, while Israel is also expected to send firefighting air means.
He also wrote on his twitter account that "our thoughts are with those who are on duty in the fight against the flames".
According to Spokesman of the Fire Service Andreas Kettis, the wildfire is raging mostly in the north-east front, where the efforts of the firefighting forces are concentrated, while in the other areas the situation is slightly better and ground forces are operating with water pipes equipments. Air means have left, he said, due to darkness.
Source: Cyprus News Agency