Four people were found dead as a huge fire raged for a second day in Cyprus, razing tracts of forest in a blaze one official called the worst on record. The blaze, fanned by strong winds, affected at least 10 communities over an area of 50 square kilometers in the foothills of the Troodos mountain range, an area of pine forest and densely vegetated shrubland. The Forestry Department had issued a red alert for fires on Wednesday as temperatures in the island are set to remain extremely high in the coming days. The department urged the public to be careful during their activities outdoors and avoid actions and activities that are likely to cause a fire, such as the use of tools or agricultural machinery producing, sparks or flames. People who have electric generators or water pumps located in the countryside should also take the necessary precautions to prevent the possibility of fire. Furthermore, the statement reminded that the fine for those who start a fire without a license amounts to up to 10 years in prison or €50,000 or both sentences combined according to the forest law of 2012, and up to five years in jail or €20,000 according to the Prevention of Fires in the Rural Areas Act 1988. Lighting fires to cook food is only permitted in designated picnic or barbecue areas, the Forestry Department added. Anyone who spots smoke or fire in or near the forest should contact 1407 (Forest Department) or 112 (Fire Department). The victims, thought to be Egyptian nationals, were found dead close to the community of Odou, a mountainous community north of the cities of Limassol and Larnaca. "All indications point to it being the four persons who were missing since Thursday," Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said. The EU's executive, the European Commission, said fire-fighting planes had departed from Greece to battle the fire and Italy was also planning to deploy aerial firefighters. The EU's emergency Copernicus satellite was also activated to provide damage assessment maps of the affected areas, the Commission said in a statement. "It is the worst forest fire in the history of Cyprus," Forestries Department Director Charalambos Alexandrou told Cyprus's Omega TV. Attempts were being made to prevent the blaze from crossing the mountains and stop it before reaching Machairas, a pine forestland and one of the highest peaks in Cyprus. The cause of the fire, which started around midday on Saturday, was unclear. Cyprus experiences high temperatures in the summer months, with temperatures in recent days exceeding 40 Celsius. Police said they were questioning a 67-year-old person in connection with the blaze. — Agencies
