A forest fire broke out yesterday afternoon near the village of Marathounta in the Paphos district, destroying six hectares of land before firefighters brought it under control within little over an hour.
The Forestry Department, which operates under the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, said the blaze started at 12.28pm in the Agios Vatzeros area and was fully extinguished by 1.50pm.
The fire consumed low-lying wild vegetation as well as a privately owned agricultural plot planted with almond trees.
Twenty-three Forestry Department personnel took part in the firefighting effort, using seven fire engines and a chainsaw. They were joined by 16 firefighters from the Fire Department, who deployed a further seven engines, a chainsaw and a water tanker.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and an investigation is under way.
