A significant forest fire is currently being extinguished in Northern Cyprus

Efforts are ongoing in Northern Cyprus to tackle a major fire that erupted yesterday afternoon near the Alevkaya picnic area.

According to emergency services, firefighting brigades, police, as well as tankers owned by the Department of Forestry, Civil Defense Organization, and regional municipalities are involved in extinguishing the blaze.

The fire broke out in the southern part of Alevkaya around 13:30 yesterday. Immediate measures were taken to prevent the fire from spreading to forested areas.

According to the "Cyprus Post," the fire occurred due to the ignition of dry grass during artillery fire. Firefighting efforts are complicated by the fact that steep mountain slopes are engulfed in flames.

Mehmet Harmandji, the Mayor of the Turkish Municipality of Nicosia (LTB), has dispatched a team to the region to assist in firefighting efforts.

"We are supporting our fire brigade in response to the fire that started in Beykoz and posed a threat to Alevkaya. We hope that the fire will be brought under control as soon as possible," wrote the mayor on his social media channels.