Entries to forest areas banned until 9th Sept

[alphamike]

Translation by Google

The Forestry Department warned that the fire risk is very high, as hot and windy weather will be effective across the country. The statement from the Circle is as follows: “In the light of the information obtained from the Meteorology Department, it has been determined that the hot and windy weather will be effective throughout our country and therefore the fire risk is very high in our forests. All kinds of traffic vehicles are prohibited from entering the forest areas during the week when the fire risk is high. It is strongly announced to our public that the forest areas cannot be entered until September 9, 2020, even if it is included for touring purposes. Considering the causes of fires, 99.1% are caused by human hand (negligence and carelessness, accident, unknown, deliberate, etc.) and only 0.9% is caused by lightning. As can be seen from these data, our citizens should be very careful not to throw cigarette butts outside while driving and not to light fires in areas where fire is prohibited during these hot days in our country. Especially the fires caused by cigarette butts thrown on the roads in recent years endanger both our forests, which are the national wealth of our country, and our people who work devotedly to extinguish the fires. According to the laws in force, no fire is lit for any reason whatsoever between 1 May and 31 October and is not permitted for this purpose. Nevertheless, those who fire fires without authorization are guilty of a crime, and in case of convictions, they may be sentenced to a fine of up to twice the monthly minimum wage or a prison sentence of up to one year, or both. It is very important that our citizens notify the slightest smoke they will see to the Forest Office "Alo 177" which is a free Forest Fire Warning or to the Fire Department "Alo 199". Likewise, in the event of a fire, it is both a legal and a citizenship duty for all our citizens to participate in firefighting activities without call and to mobilize all their means to extinguish the fire. Taking all these into consideration, it is strongly reminded that all our citizens show maximum attention and sensitivity in order not to cause the start of a fire and to have a fire-free season. As the Directorate of Forestry, as required by law, it is our duty to take the necessary precautions for the protection of forests, we request our people to comply with our decision and assist forest officials. "

https://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/kibris/o ... 95305.html

[dippersgirl]

Must tell my neighbour, he seems to think it's fine too burn rubbish whenever.......................
I told him he is irresponsible and he just ignored me

[frontalman]

Maybe they should ban smoking in the country. It would be a more effective and long-term solution. It would cut fires by 99% if this article is accurate.

[waddo]

Don’t forget to ban mobile phones and alcohol at the same time - every little helps!

[sophie]

When did a mobile phone start a fire?

[alphamike]

A lot of the fires are caused by illegal bbq's, such as the one along by Tatlisu Bele restaurant recently. Not saying that cigarettes are not part of the problem, they undoubtedly are if someone just throws them out of a car, or fails to extinguish it properly.

Dippersgirl, your neighbour should know it is illegal to burn rubbish in the summer months.

It's really scary if it takes hold. Last year I heard what I thought was running water outside, as in a water burst, it was a fire in the fields at the back of the houses. The area it spread to within mins was frightening. Luckily fire service and a pile of others with tractors appeared very quickly and managed to extinguish it. To make matters worse, the water pressure was rubbish, so trying to use household hoses was pretty futile other than wetting areas and hopefully stop the fire getting to the houses.

[waddo]

Sophie, it’s a matter of consequences! Drunk driver having a fag on the way home, flicks his/her fag out the window to text/answer the mobile! The fag may start the fire or the drunk can crash the car and catch fire! It’s all about thinking bigger picture than just ban a fag because it causes a fire. So do broken bottles but you won’t ban bottles or discarded bits of glass because of a fire?

Fires out here are fast and deadly, bad electrical installations are classic fire starters so let’s go back to candles and oil lamps - maybe not then and don’t use mossie coils either please. Just be extra careful and react as fast as you can if you spot fire or smoke!

[sophie]

Yes waddo, I do know about fires here, 20010(?) our house was used as HQ by army general and other top brass plus President and minders to direct helicopter and 6+ fire engines We had to pack up animals and our possessions in order to do a runner, it was just the fact that I couldn't equate a mobile with all that went through. (it was decided after a number of hours that the worst was over and we didn't move in the end.

[waddo]

Glad you did not have to move out in the end and were safe. I have lived in other parts of the world and seen some terrible fires but here, seeing a perfectly good old olive tree literally explode when the brush fire got to it, not 30 feet away from me really brought it home! We were lucky that there was a well on site and a swimming pool, which we emptied, kept it back before the fire service got there with their pressure pumps. Frightening times indeed as the property owner was not at home and the fire was very close to his house. All ended well but no cause of the fire was ever found. Spontaneous combustion said the fire crew!

[Groucho]

One thing that might help is a requirement to carry 10 litre bottle of water in all vehicles. So that small fires can be tackled before they escalate.

[sophie]

I can just imagine chucking a container of water through car window when tab end thrown out. What fun!!

[frontalman]

Plenty of people must have tried this already, as I've seen lots of empty plastic water bottles lying around.