British Forces Cyprus fire chiefs have sent out a stern warning to the Sovereign Base Areas community to be more vigilant this year with the fire season fast-approaching.
The wet winter has ensured that much of the island has seen its plant life flourish and with weather experts predicting soaring temperatures over the next few weeks, it will lead to very dry conditions and an increased fire risk.
Already this year, the Defence Fire and Risk Management Organisation have been called to numerous small fires in both the Eastern and Western Sovereign Base Areas and, according to Community Fire Safety Manager, Aristos Aristidou, this has signalled the “start of the season”.
He explained: “It is safe to say it (fire season) has now started. Last weekend we were called to a fire in the middle of the Fassouri plantation, and although it was relatively small, the strong winds and dry vegetation meant that it could have got out of control very quickly.
“We have also been out tackling other fires across the SBAs, so now is the time for people to be considering the fire risk.”
Last year, the island’s mountain range in Troodos was devastated by a fire which led to aircraft from Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the UK battling to bring it under control, and despite the serious damage it has caused to the eco-system, Aristos is hopeful that some key lessons surrounding fire awareness have been learned.
He went on: “All fire fighters in Cyprus, not just the SBAs, recognise the importance of educating about the dangers of fire safety and, as a result, our fire-fighters get out into the community to educate businesses, home owners and children about how to keep safe in the summer”.
At the time of last year’s fire, experts revealed that a 12-year-old boy playing with a lighter was suspected to have started it and that adds weight to what Aristidou says: “If we can educate children at a young age then they will go home and tell their parents about what they have learnt and that will result in having a positive impact on everyone.
“There are simple measures that can be taken to prevent fires from breaking-out, such as not throwing cigarettes out of your window when driving, and if we can all abide by these simple measures, it will prevent what could be catastrophic damage to the island.”
But despite the stern warning, Aristidou was quick to stress that people should not panic and said it is very easy to have fun in a safe and controlled way.
“The last thing we want is for people to worry about having barbeques and things like that. We still want people to enjoy themselves and, as long as they follow the simple fire safety rules, then there is no reason that won’t happen,” he concluded.