FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE — The director of the Forestry Department, Savvas Iezekiel has said that the department is prepared to assume responsibility for responding to wildfires in rural areas, following a shift in policy by the Fire Service.
Speaking on CyBC Radio, Iezekiel said the Fire Service expressed its intention to step back from handling wildfires after the devastating blaze in Arakapas in 2021.
“A study was conducted by an expert on wildfires, clearly outlining who should take charge,” he said. “The Forestry Department is ready to take on that role, provided the proper procedures are followed.”
Iezekiel added that the department has a comprehensive system for wildfire prevention and suppression, overseeing an area that covers 54 percent of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.