NO MORE FIRES IN CYPRUS!

Every year fires destroy our forests in Cyprus. This summer has been the worst so far. 31 fires were started in the last couple of days, and the most catastrophic fire has been raging since Saturday and it is still out of control despite superhuman efforts to put it out. The damage that it has caused is irreparable. Two firemen have died and our precious natural heritage has been devastated.

What is most tragic is that these fires are caused by human negligence : the burning of debris, negligently discarded cigarettes and intentional acts of arson. The fire at Evrychou which has ravaged the Troodos forests and endangered whole villages, for example, was started by a 12 year old boy who was playing with a lighter. There have been many examples of irresponsible behaviour that have caused fires in the past and, sadly, continue to do so.

As concerned Cypriots we have had enough of this criminal behaviour. We demand that the people responsible for the fires get the heaviest of penalties. 

I would, at this point, like to add that it has come to my attention that some people think that I am asking for the punishment of a twelve year old boy and I have even been asked if by " the heaviest of penalties"  I mean the death sentence. So, considering that some people have misconstrued what I have said, I would like to clarify that I am not referring to the twelve year old boy, who is a minor, but to all the people who start fires through their negligence, and by " heaviest penalties " I mean penalties heavier than a couple of months or a couple of hundred euros or even worse, getting away with it altogether. The penalties for someone who is found guilty of starting a wildfire are supposed to be, not more than 5 years in prison, and no more than 25,000 euros. Despite the fact that people are responsible for starting fires each year and that some of them are caught I do not know of anyone up to date that has been given the above penalties. So penalties do not only need to be heavy but they need to be implemented as well.

If you are concerned about preserving our natural heritage, and want much harsher laws to be imposed on those who are guilty of its destruction, please sign the petition.

I would also like to enclose a comment that appeared in the Cyprus Mail as concerns the fires:  http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/06/22/view-no-tolerance-shown-idiots-start-fires/