Cy-alert reaches residents with delay as Agia Anna fire “surrounded”

Local fireLarnacaTop News Cy-alert reaches residents with delay as Agia Anna fire “surrounded” Cy Alert Reaches Residents With Delay As Agia Anna Fire Relevant News Cy-alert reaches residents with delay as Agia Anna fire “surrounded” 27 July 2026 Timur Turlov announces candidacy for FIDE President 27 July 2026 Volunteer firefighter hurt in fall while battling Kalo Chorio wildfire 27 July 2026 Natasa Christoforou 27 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Firefighting forces have surrounded the wildfire burning near the Kalo Chorio firing range, and efforts to bring it under control are at a good stage, Department of Forests Director Savvas Iezekiel said. He noted that the main difficulty firefighters now face is strong winds carrying embers to different points in the area. It has also emerged that the cy-alert message warning residents of the fire was received late after the blaze broke out, according to a photograph of the alert reviewed by philenews. The fire broke out at the Kalo Chorio firing range following National Guard training live-fire exercises. National Guard sources confirmed to philenews that a National Guard unit was carrying out training activities at the range, and that the fire broke out during the exercise, though its cause remains unknown. The blaze grew to such an extent that instructions were given to evacuate the villages of Agia Anna and Psevdas. A volunteer firefighter was injured after falling from a height while tackling the fire, hurting his legs, and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Agia Anna Agia Anna, a village of around 400 residents, saw the fire reach the exterior of a house, with efforts underway to put it out, according to footage captured by philenews. Community President Anastasis Georgiou said the fire had already burned houses in the village. He said community services, working with other agencies, had relocated elderly residents unable to evacuate their homes to another community, with Agia Anna residents being moved to Mosfiloti community council. Psevdas Church bells rang in Psevdas just before 5pm, residents told philenews, in the manner they were called to evacuate the village. Most residents, however, remained in their homes, as the fire was still some distance from the village centre. Some residents said they intended to stay, believing they weren’t in danger, though crews were in the village moving people with mobility problems to safety. Residents expressed anger over reports that the fire started at the Kalo Chorio firing range, questioning why training was taking place during a period of high fire risk. They also said they had not received a mobile alert to evacuate. Psevdas residents, particularly those with homes near the mountains in the area, are on standby. Some are taking part in the firefighting effort themselves on a pine-covered mountain, with their families waiting to evacuate them. Firefighting operation There are at least two active fire fronts in the area burning low vegetation, with the fire also close to wind turbines, making it harder to bring under control. Firefighting forces have been reinforced with four aircraft, while the Department of Forests is assisting with six vehicles. Larnaca Police officers are also at the scene. Community services and residents are also taking part in the effort to control and extinguish the fire, using whatever means they have available, including agricultural machinery. Firefighting crews are struggling to enter the firing range and reach the source of the fire, as the possible presence of unexploded ordnance and the particular conditions in the area make the operation extremely dangerous. Read more: Volunteer firefighter hurt in fall while battling Kalo Chorio wildfire Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Timur Turlov announces candidacy for FIDE President Volunteer firefighter hurt in fall while battling Kalo Chorio wildfire Kalo Chorio fire spreads to house as volunteer injured and Agia Anna evacuated (Videos) Psevdas ordered to evacuate as fire spreads from Agia Anna, reaches homes (videos) Update: Fire spreads to house, volunteers rush water tankers to Agia Anna Kalo Chorio fire forces evacuation of Agia Anna village 22-year-old committed to trial over Aradippou stabbing Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.