A 12.62% decrease was recorded in fires in Cyprus, according to the statistics of the Fire Service for the year 2022.

According to the statistics, published on Thursday, the Service have responded to a total of 6,451 fires throughout Cyprus.

In relation to rural fires, a downward trend of 23% (3,445) is observed for 2022, compared to 2021, when the total recorded number was 4,474.

Α 3.33% increase was recorded, however, in fires in urban areas, more specifically, 3,006 in 2022, compared with 2,909 in 2021. 

The Fire Service also carried out 24 fire rescues in 2022 compared to 29 in 2021, while there were 31 injuries compared to 19 in 2021 and five people died in fires compared to seven in the corresponding period last year.

The Fire Service also report that during 2022, they have responded to a total of 11,247 calls for assistance, which related to calls for fires, special services but also fake calls.

According to the Fire Service, for yet another year, 90% of fires in rural areas were due to the human factor, but note that a significant reduction was recorded in 2022, adding that this was due to their prevention campaigns while patrols, by the Police, the Fire Service, the Forestry Department, the Game and Fauna Service, as well as other organised groups, helped.

The economic aspect of the damage is significantly reduced for 2022 totaling €9,491,552 euros: €8,615,472 concerning urban fires and €876,080 rural fires. In 2021 damage amounted to €29,212,512 of which €10,596,402 concerned fires in urban areas and €18,616,110 rural fires.