UPDATE 19:37 / Defence Minister Blames Army Battalion for Larnaca Firing Range Fire
Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Monday afternoon that the 70th Engineer Battalion bears responsibility for a fire that broke out at the Kalo Chorio firing range in Larnaca and spread to Agia Anna, describing the conduct during the destruction of RPG munitions as unprofessional. He said he has already ordered an investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
Minister voices strong displeasure
Speaking at the Ministry of Defence, Palmas expressed "strong displeasure" and "strong irritation" over what he called the unprofessionalism shown during the destruction of RPG munitions at the firing range. He said responsibility for the outbreak of the fire "has a first and last name" and, on the basis of the information available to him, attributed that responsibility to the 70th Engineer Battalion.
Investigation ordered
Palmas said he has already ordered an inquiry to establish the precise conditions under which the situation developed. The findings of that investigation, once concluded, will determine whether the minister's initial assessment of responsibility is formally confirmed.
Fire spreads beyond the range
The fire broke out shortly after midday on Monday within the Kalo Chorio firing range, reportedly following explosions during the controlled destruction of munitions by the National Guard. Fanned by strong winds and high temperatures, it spread beyond the boundaries of the range towards the communities of Agia Anna and Psevda, prompting the activation of the national "Ikaros II" plan for major forest fires. Fire service crews, supported by aircraft carrying out water drops along the fire's perimeter, remained engaged in the operation on Monday afternoon.
UPDATE 18:59 / Georgiou blames minister and president for fire
As he said, concerns had also been expressed in the past over the conduct of firing at the range under conditions of high temperatures, with the communities having informed the relevant authorities and asked for measures to be taken.
"We had the same problems last year. In 45 degrees they came to carry out detonations of shells that were at the firing range," he said.
He further said that, despite the communities' warnings, firing had taken place this year under conditions of high temperatures, which he described as "unacceptable."
Mr Georgiou placed responsibility on the Minister of Defence and the President of the Republic, arguing that shell detonations should not take place under such conditions.
"It is not possible for detonations of shells to take place in such temperatures. We have been endangered so many times. It is happening again, the fire has come to the village and we are facing the same problems," he said.
Regarding the firebreaks in the area, Mr Georgiou said that notifications had also been sent to the relevant services about the need to clear them.
"We informed ministries, the Forestry Department, the District Officer through our letters. There are two firebreaks on the mountain ridges here. Two firebreaks that need to come and be cleared. And they did not come," he said.
At the same time, he thanked those who assisted in tackling the fire, saying that firefighters, members of the Forestry Department, and members of the public took part in the effort to put it out.
UPDATE 18:59 / Fire near Agia Anna: community leader raises concerns over CY Alert delay and firing range warnings
Community leader of Agia Anna, Anastasis Georgiou, spoke of a delay in the sending of the message through the CY Alert system, as well as of previous notifications to the relevant services regarding risks in the area of the firing range, referring to the fire that broke out at midday on Monday in the area.
In his statements, Mr Georgiou said the fire remains ongoing, noting that for safety reasons around ten elderly people were moved to other communities, to Mosfiloti and Psevdas.
As he said, the community was informed of the fire around 12:30, while there were no trapped persons.
Referring to the notification of residents, the community leader expressed concern over the time it took for the message to be sent through CY Alert, which, according to him, arrived at 17:20.
"The message took far too long to arrive. But we took the initiative ourselves. We rang the village bell and said the village was being evacuated," he said.
Regarding the causes of the fire, Mr Georgiou referred to the operation of the firing range in the area, though the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.
Asked whether the fire could be linked to the process of destroying old explosives, Mr Georgiou replied: "I believe so, yes, either shells that fall and are later found and detonated."
UPDATED 18:35 National plan activated
Authorities have ordered the evacuation of homes in Agia Anna and Psevdas as a forest fire continues to burn in the Kalo Chorio firing range area of the Larnaca district. The Department of Forests described the situation on Monday afternoon as improved but still difficult, with firefighting aircraft and ground crews continuing operations.
How the fire started and where it stands
The Department of Forests, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, said the fire broke out on Monday at 12:40 within the Kalo Chorio firing range in Larnaca. In an interim statement, the department said strong ground and aerial firefighting forces were tackling the blaze and being "continuously reinforced." It described the situation as improved but still difficult.
A Crisis Management Coordination Team has been set up at the Zinon Centre, and the National Plan Icarus II has been activated. Six firefighting aircraft and five helicopters are taking part in suppression operations, according to the Department of Forests.
Personnel and equipment on the ground
The department said the following forces are participating in firefighting operations:
- 70 Department of Forests personnel, with 11 firefighting vehicles, three water tankers and two bulldozers
- 32 Fire Service personnel, with nine firefighting vehicles
- District Administration staff, with two water tankers and two bulldozers
- National Guard forces, with two bulldozers
- Civil Defence
- Game Fund Service
- Volunteer groups and residents of local communities
Evacuations ordered
Due to the seriousness of the situation, authorities issued instructions for the evacuation of homes in the communities of Agia Anna and Psevdas.
EAC on standby in Agia Anna
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) said its staff have been present from the outset at the coordination centre set up in Agia Anna, monitoring developments. EAC spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou said the authority's crews are on full operational readiness to respond as needed.
Police urge public to stay away
Police have urged the public to avoid travelling towards the fire-affected area covering Kalo Chorio, Agia Anna and Psevdas, both for their own safety and to avoid obstructing the movement of firefighting forces. Police said firefighting operations were continuing.
Προτροπή για αποφυγή διακινήσεων προς την περιοχή της πυρκαγιάς στην επαρχία Λάρνακας. Καλείται το κοινό να μην πλησιάζει την περιοχή όπου μαίνεται η πυρκαγιά, τόσο για τη δική του ασφάλεια όσο και για την απρόσκοπτη διακίνηση των πυροσβεστικών δυνάμεων. https://t.co/8bBj0vAiQJ pic.twitter.com/9dkYD5jWnj
— Αστυνομία Κύπρου (@Cyprus_Police) July 27, 2026
A fire that broke out at the Kalo Chorio firing range is ongoing, with firefighting forces fully mobilised. An evacuation order has reportedly been issued for the community of Agia Anna, with Forestry Department and Fire Service crews, along with aircraft, operating at the scene.
The fire appears to have started following explosions during the National Guard's destruction of explosives, with the Fire Service operating at the scene and aircraft also mobilised to help tackle it. Police officers are also present.
According to Fire Service press officer Andreas Kettis, three fully crewed fire engines responded, and the fire is spreading beyond the boundaries of the firing range.
"Firefighting forces have been reinforced, and will be reinforced further by Forestry Department crews. In addition, three firefighting aircraft are carrying out drops around the perimeter," Kettis said, adding that, according to the latest update, operational responsibility for the fire area now rests with the Forestry Department.
Video posted by the volunteer firefighting group Atlas Fireteam on Facebook shows black smoke from the fire rising into the air.
