Big Fire now at Ayios Thomas - JULY 2011
The fire burnt for two days before it was brought under control on Monday. Some 8 square kilometres were burnt out, with the fire almost reaching the Limassol motorway. The fire was mostly across rough scrub, carob and olive areas. See pictures below.
Tragically, following Markos's report below, the fire flared up again, and it has burnt all day, devastating a huge area of mostly open countryside between Ayios Tomas, Anoyira and then towards Avdimou and Prastio/Pachna. It is desperately sad to see the scale of the destruction, and, even worse, it is out of control this evening (Sunday night) heading east and north east. Apparently the helicopters do not fly at night, so there are limited means of controlling such a vast front burning in strong winds. A major problem in bringing the fire under control has been that there has been another fire at Palihori near Nicosia which has meant that helicopters have had to be diverted to cover both fires.
Fortunately, the fire was stopped just as it reached Anoyira, and although gardens were damaged houses are safe.
This huge fire on our doorstep has really has brought home how vulnerable we are to fire. Let us fervently hope that our Village Council has taken every possible precautionary measure to protect Pissouri from such a catastrophe.
http://www.cybc.com.cy/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=33&Itemid=55 (English)http://www.cybc.com.cy/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=33&Itemid=55 (Greek)
About 6 pm from Plataniskia looking over Ay Tomas.
It is possible the fire started here at the dump between Anoyira and Ay Tomas.
You can see the width of the fire - the background fires are heading towards Pachna
Heading down the valley towards Avdimou
Just outside Avdimou
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The Big fire in Ayios Thomas finally is put off. It was controlled at 4:40am.
The minister of Interior mr. Silikiotis was in the area too and ordered the evacuation of Ayios Thomas as a case of emergency.
Thank god it wasn't needed because the wind turned to the opposite way and saved the village.
About 72 people were working to put off the fire and 23 cars of the Firestations of Limassol, Pachna, Paphos, Limassol, EMAK and forestry depurtment.
2 Helicopters are still in the area putting off the last bits of the fire.
Acording to the police, the fire started from the rubbish dump of Ayios Thomas!!! we all need to be careful with fires especially in the summer.
These are results!!!
Last Update 11:00am
