A fire broke out in the forested area between Mersinlik and Tatlısu on Thursday afternoon, triggered by extreme heat.

The timely and coordinated response by various teams helped avert a major disaster.

The fire, which started around 3:00 PM, saw swift action from multiple agencies including the Police, Fire Department, the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces, the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus, the Forestry Department, the Civil Defense Organization, municipalities, and local volunteers.

Two helicopters from Türkiye provided aerial support, continuously dropping water on the flames.

In response to the fire, high-ranking officials, including President Ersin Tatar, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş, Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı, and the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu, arrived at the scene to oversee the efforts.

President Tatar, speaking to BRT from the site, commended the swift intervention facilitated by the coordination of various institutions and the visual support from UAVs.

He noted that the helicopters played a crucial role in containing the fire and emphasized that cooling operations would continue through the night to prevent any re-ignition.

With temperatures soaring to 45°C, there remains a significant risk for further fires.

Minister Hüseyin Çavuş highlighted the correlation between rising temperatures and the frequency of fires.

He attributed the successful containment of the fire to the early intervention, particularly by the helicopters.

Following the containment, cooling efforts commenced immediately.

Minister Çavuş stressed the importance of public vigilance, urging people to avoid discarding cigarette butts and to immediately contact the fire and forest fire hotlines if they spot any sign of smoke.

Describing the challenging terrain where the fire started, Çavuş explained that access was only possible thanks to paths cleared by work vehicles and that aerial support was essential in fighting the flames.

He called on the public to be conscientious and proactive to prevent future incidents.