The risk of eruption and spread of forest fires remains on red alert for Wednesday, the Forestry Department announced today. The Forestry Department stressed that lighting a fire without a permit is prohibited and that it constitutes an offence which, according to the Law on Forests, is punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to pound 50,000 or both. According to the Prevention of Fires in the Countryside Law, it is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or with a fine of up to pound 20,000 or both penalties. Lighting a fire for food preparation, is only allowed in the barbecue pits of the picnic areas, it said. It also calls on the public to be especially careful during its excursions, and completely avoid actions and activities that are likely to cause a fire, such as the use of tools or agricultural machinery that produce heat, sparks or flame, such as angle grinders and welding. If anyone notices smoke or fire, they are asked to call 1407 (Forestry Department) or 112 (Fire Serv ice) immediately. Source: Cyprus News Agency