Cyprus carried out its annual large‑scale wildfire response drill, “Hephaestus 2026,” southeast of the village of Kapedes in the Nicosia district, the Forest Department said.
The exercise simulated a fire breaking out near Kapedes and spreading into the Machairas National Forest Park, developing into a crisis situation that threatened the community and nearby homes.
Officials said the aim was to test the effectiveness of the national “Hephaestus” emergency plan, strengthen operational readiness and improve coordination among all agencies involved in wildfire response.