Cyprus has asked other EU countries to help put out a huge forest fire in a mountainous area of the eastern Mediterranean island nation that has forced the evacuation of at least three villages.
NICOSIA, Cyprus – Cyprus on Saturday asked other EU countries to help fight a huge forest fire in a mountainous area of the eastern Mediterranean island nation that has forced the evacuation of at least three villages.
Cypriot Environment Minister Costas Kadis told the state broadcaster that the fire engulfed “huge areas of forest” and private property near the village of Arakapas in the Troodos mountain range. At least four houses have burned down, and photos on social media show massive plumes of brown smoke blowing out the sun.
Cypriot government spokesman Marios Pelekanos told the Associated Press that the dimensions of the fire were “worrying”. He said Greece sends two firefighting planes, and Israel also sent planes.
Greek official Nicholas Hardalias announced on his own Twitter account that Greece is “next to Cyprus” and that two Canadair CL-415s are on the way.
Four Cypriot firefighting planes are helping ground crews fight the fire, but strong winds and temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius are hampering their efforts. Fire service spokesman Andreas Kettis said that firefighters who were not in the service were again called for help to help.
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