Limassol, Cyprus. One year after the July 23, 2025 wildfire in the western Limassol mountains, 91 families remain displaced despite a €63 million state recovery budget. The blaze killed two people, burned more than 100 square kilometres and caused extensive damage across 15 communities.
Anniversary of the fire
Mountain Communities Development Commissioner Charalambos Christofinas and Limassol Communities Union president Lefteris Periklis described the anniversary as a sombre reminder of an unprecedented and devastating event that left traumatic memories for those affected.
The fire also highlighted challenges facing Cyprus in preventing and managing natural disasters, as well as the need for greater public awareness of environmental protection. The blaze was attributed to the careless disposal of a cigarette.
Fire spread
Christofinas said the fire spread at extraordinary speed, as recorded in a report by American experts.
According to the report, the area’s topography played a decisive role, allowing the fire to spread in every direction regardless of the prevailing strong winds, at a rate of between 60 and 63 metres per minute.
“Our appeal to the public is to protect Cyprus’ ‘green lungs’, and we must be particularly careful to preserve them,” Christofinas said.
“Without our countryside and the beauty of our land, we have no future.”
Recovery measures
Christofinas said the Limassol mountain region had returned to a degree of normality, but recovery would not be complete until every affected resident had rebuilt and returned home.
“For us, the area will fully return to normality when the last of our fellow citizens rebuilds and returns to the home they lost,” he said.
He said 91 families were still living away from their homes with subsidised rent, while the state had allocated an overall budget of €63 million for recovery measures following the fire.