Forest Department: Restructuring of Extradural Area Management Needed

The Forest Department recommends a restructuring of the fire management system in rural areas, according to the evaluation report on the July 23 fire in Malia, which was submitted to the President of the Republic.

The report states that the existing system outside forests suffers from fragmentation of responsibilities, lack of unified coordination, and institutional weaknesses. The need for restructuring in the management system of extradural areas is emphasized.

The fire spread rapidly, at approximately 8 to 10 square kilometers per hour in the first ten hours. The Fire Chief took over operational coordination, activating plans "PYRSOS" and "IKAROS II."

The Forest Department took over the critical northeastern flank to protect communities and prevent expansion to Troodos.