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Description
The purpose of the project is to reduce fire incidents and forest area burnt to protect valuable landscapes, natural ecosystems and biodiversity across the Troodos range, as well as lives and properties in rural areas. This will be achieved through enhancing the capabilities of the Department of Forests and raising of the public awareness on forest fires danger. Furthermore, the Department of Forest will also upgrade the firefighting equipment, including vehicles, machinery and tools, as well as maintain strategic stocks of necessary firefighting materials, necessary to cope with large fire incidents that may be more frequent in the future as a result of climate change.
Main activities shall include:
- information and awareness-raising campaigns on forest fires danger mainly focused on the residents of mountainous communities;
- purchase of firefighting equipment (i.e. rapid intervention vehicles equipped with firefighting equipment, long-bed vehicles, firefighting safety equipment and day/night cameras);
- training of the staff of the Department of Forests and volunteers on monitoring and reporting fires and how to use the new firefighting equipment obtained.
Summary of project results
The main issues or challenges that the project aimed to address are:
- Protection of valuable landscapes, natural ecosystems and biodiversity elements across the Troodos Range: Troodos range comprises the most valuable natural landscapes and habitats in Cyprus which are the home of many endemic plant and animal species, endangered and protected at national or European level. By reducing wildfires in that region, the damage will be decreased.
- Protection of human properties in rural areas. Over the past decade a number of large wildfires have occurred, causing significant losses in human properties and even lives in many villages across Troodos. Enhanced capabilities of the Department of Forests in wildfire protection are expected to reduce these damages.
- Improving safety conditions for the forest staff: During forest fire fighting the health and even the lives of firefighters are exposed in real danger. Over the past 15 years four (4) forest staff members lost their lives and other were wounded during firefighting. Improved equipment, safety clothing and vehicles but also improved society involvement and awareness, will significantly reduce the possibility of accidents.
- Upgrading the capabilities of the Republic of Cyprus to provide help to neighboring countries in cases of large fire incidents: Over the past decade, Cyprus has provided help to Israel and Greece in four instances with the Department of Forests always participating. Acquisition of improved equipment and other relevant supplies will upgrade the effectiveness of Cyprus missions to neighboring counties which are expected to become more frequent in the future as a result of climate change.
- Improvement of life quality in rural areas: This will be achieved through reduction of the number of wildfires that can grow big and catastrophic.
The objective of the project was to reduce fire incidents and forest area burnt to protect valuable landscapes, natural ecosystems and biodiversity across the Troodos range, as well as lives and properties in rural areas. This goal has been achieved through enhancing the capabilities of the Department of Forests (PP) and raising of the public awareness on forest fires danger. More specifically, the Department of Forest upgraded the firefighting equipment, including vehicles, machinery and tools that are necessary to cope with large fire incidents that may be more frequent in the future as a result of climate change. Additionally, the PP produced 2 videos spots and a radio spot that were broadcasted in several Cyprus tv channels and radio stations. Furthermore, posters and information leaflets were given to the public in order to rise awareness.
The project achieved the following targets:
- 1071 volunteers participated at firefighting training seminars and the initial target was 1000.
- All the firefighting equipment and small equipment has been delivered.
The implementation of the project was completed on 31/12/23 and has savings around € 22.600 that were transferred to PDP10.