Civil Defence has introduced changes to the organisation and coordination of evacuations following the devastating wildfire that affected the Limassol mountains on July 23, 2025, according to a reply by Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou to a parliamentary question from MP Odysseas Michaelides.
According to the reply, the “POLYVIOS” evacuation plan for Souni–Zanatzia had been updated on April 29, 2025, approximately three months before the wildfire. The process, however, did not include a test or exercise.
Following the wildfire, Civil Defence proceeded with a new update of “POLYVIOS” for all communities for 2026. In Souni–Zanatzia, the process was completed on March 10, 2026, followed by meetings between Civil Defence officers and the community authority.
Radios and new communication networks
As part of the changes, portable radios were provided to all Presidents of Community Clusters, as well as to the Office of the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities.
Users were trained in operating the equipment, while a monthly communication check was established between the locations where the radios were installed and the Limassol Regional Civil Defence Directorate, with the aim of ensuring the system’s operational reliability.
At the same time, the SAFE-CY and CY-ALERT applications were put into operation to provide citizens with immediate information during emergencies. Communication groups were also created with the participation of Community Council members. Similar groups were created by the Community Authorities with the participation of residents, to ensure immediate information and mobilisation when necessary.
Evacuation exercises
Civil Defence has begun organising large-scale evacuation exercises in communities across Cyprus.
In Limassol District, exercises have already been held in the communities of Limnati and Phini, while similar exercises are planned for other communities in the district.
In Souni–Zanatzia, a workshop was held on March 14, 2026, following a request from the community and in cooperation with Civil Defence, focusing on the implementation of the “POLYVIOS” EES. The workshop also included practical applications of first aid, CPR and bandaging.
€10,000 spent on cleaning work before the wildfire
Regarding preventive measures taken before the wildfire, the Limassol District Administration said it had spent €10,000 from the State Development Budget on cleaning and maintenance work on road shoulders in the Souni–Zanatzia community.
On March 18, 2025, a letter had also been sent to the Community Councils of Limassol District regarding fire prevention measures. The letter described the cleaning of existing firebreaks, or the opening of new ones where necessary, as an urgent need.
The District Administration said, however, that previous efforts to open firebreaks in cooperation with other Community Councils had not produced results because private landowners had not given their consent for the required work.
Weaknesses identified in the “POLYVIOS” plan
The reply also records specific weaknesses that emerged during the wildfire and which, according to the Interior Ministry, require correction.
Among other things, individual homes in the area were not included in the “POLYVIOS” plan. This made the rescuers’ work more difficult, as they had to confirm whether any citizens were trapped. The Ministry describes this as a “weakness of the Plan” that should be corrected in cooperation with the community leaders.
In addition, several livestock facilities were not clearly recorded in the plan, and the reply states that this weakness should also be addressed.
Source: CNA
