Larnaca fire burned 120 hectares, not 20 as first estimated, Forest Department says

Local firefire serviceLarnacaTop News Larnaca fire burned 120 hectares, not 20 as first estimated, Forest Department says 755033414 1035655139324857 6311171698766710151 N 1536x1152 Relevant News Larnaca fire burned 120 hectares, not 20 as first estimated, Forest Department says 28 July 2026 National Guard’s Kalo Chorio firing range faces second munitions mishap in months, as fire safety measures fail to stop blaze 28 July 2026 Defence challenges government doctor who examined complainant in Phedonos rape trial 28 July 2026 Natasa Christoforou 28 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber According to the latest update from the Forest Department, the fire burned not 20 hectares as initially estimated, but 120 hectares of pine trees, olive groves, shrubs and wild grass. Damage to crops in the area was also not avoided, though its extent has not yet been assessed. Philenews walked through the burned land and captured images of the fire, which started at the Kalo Chorio firing range when a decision was made to destroy rockets. Every hilltop behind Agia Anna has been burned, leaving only the wind turbines standing. Many isolated homes were endangered, while no one wants to think about what would have happened had the fire reached Psevda and Pyrga, where the state forest is located. Agia Anna community leader Anastasis Georgiou again conveyed residents’ anger today, saying steps would be taken for the communities to renew their request for the Kalo Chorio firing range to be relocated. Asked about it, he said he stood by yesterday’s statements, in which he called on the Police Chief to arrest the Defence Minister. “We insist because we know who the arsonists are. If he didn’t know how this exercise would be carried out, then I’m very sorry. Someone gives the orders. If it isn’t the minister, it’s the President of the Republic. “No one goes and does these things on their own in these temperatures, when we’re sent a red alert every day telling us to be careful. What do you do, Ministry, do you start the fires yourselves?” he said, among other things, denying that firebreaks in the area had been cleared, despite letters having been sent to all the relevant services a month and a half earlier. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News National Guard’s Kalo Chorio firing range faces second munitions mishap in months, as fire safety measures fail to stop blaze Defence challenges government doctor who examined complainant in Phedonos rape trial Suspended Metropolitan Tychikos spared further punishment for now over refusal to drop court case Technical fault delayed Cy-Alert fire warning by two hours, Civil Defence spokesman admits Case file on Germasogeia collapse that killed two reaches Law Office Guterres begins first UN chief visit to Cyprus since 2010 as expectations stay low Anger mounts in Larnaca as defence minister blames army battalion for wildfire, promises answers within ten days Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.