Forestry department on full alert from April due to weather
The Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, and the Deputy Director of the Forestry Department, Andreas Christou, have reported progress in reinforcing aerial firefighting means. Two tenders are currently underway for the purchase of firefighting aircraft and helicopters. The Forestry Department has been on full alert since April 1st this year, instead of May 1st, and the employment period for forest firefighters has been extended to eight months. The Forestry College will start in January 2025 for the first time in 10 years. The government has been instructed to purchase 10 aerial firefighting means over a five-year period. The Aerial Means Unit will be transferred to the National Guard. Additionally, the state mechanism is ready to address wildfires with one operational aircraft available and two tenders in progress for planes and helicopters. Cooperation with the British Bases and neighbouring countries is in place for additional aerial support.