The Cyprus Mail
CYPRUS, Greece — The forestry department yesterday brought under control a state forest fire, which began on Thursday afternoon, possibly from a cigarette stub, senior official Alekos Katalanos said yesterday.
The fire broke out in the Aderfi state forest at about 3.30pm, north of the villages of Palechori and Fterikoudi at a secluded wooded area serviced by a small paved road, Katalanos said.
“The fire was not arson. All indications point to a cigarette stub,” Katalanos said.
Because the forestry department has ruled out arson, they believe a cigarette stub is the most likely explanation for the fire, Katalanos said.
Inhabited areas were not put at risk.
The blaze ate away at about two square kilometres of state and private land while over 120 people, 25 fire brigade trucks, two planes and four helicopters tried to put it out.
Volunteers from neighbouring villages and members of community councils helped put the fire mostly under control overnight when the choppers and planes had to stop.
People used bulldozers and tractors to cut off the flames controlling the fire by early morning.
The firefighters said they took advantage of the lack of wind. By noon, the forestry department had secured a perimeter and set out to put out isolated bits of smoking land.
When the Cyprus Mail’s photographer arrived at about that time, he saw staff from the forestry department hosing trees and smoking vegetation with water.
Choppers were also posted to monitor the forest from the air.
The forestry department yesterday believed the blaze would not reignite but was keeping men posted just in case.
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