Cyprus fire brought under control

The joint aid delegation of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and Israeli fire squadron Elad went to help Cyprus deal with the fatal forest fire, which has killed four and destroyed several homes.

Guy Weisbard, Chief Pilot of the Elad squadron, commented: “This is a national mission that is shared by the fire brigade and the police. The day we arrived, we were already out flying nd going up in the air.”

Cyprus’ Forestry Department said that the blaze was contained early Monday, according to the Associated Press, after scorching more than 21 square miles of land.

High professionalism was required

“The response we provide here in the Troodos mountains, where the fire is located, brings you to the edge of the envelope,” said Weisbard. “The peaks are 5,000-6,000 feet high. In these places the air is thinner, and the winds are strong, which affects the plane. The required professionalism is very high, because you must not cross your own limits and that of the plane.”

The Israeli aid delegation has included the IAF’s Karnaf (C-130 Hercules) aircraft, as well as two Air Tractor firefighting aircraft belonging to country’s Elad fire squadron. The IAF aircraft also carried 20 square meters of flame retardants and technical equipment which is used by Israeli Police’s firefighting squadron.

“We train our men for this kind of mission. Half of the squadron is eligible to fly abroad. Part of that investment into training helps them get to know the current area a little better,” Weisbard said. “Last April we were in Cyprus on a training mission, supported by Elbit, at exactly the relevant point and that helps us a lot. The fact that we trained here, we’ve been in touch with the people and we’ve landed here, is really helping us now.”

Over 816,000 rescues and sorties are performed every year countering fires across Europe, and the resources required to fight fires are as diverse as the landscape.