Nicosia: Firefighters on Wednesday were engaged in efforts to control a significant wildfire that had prompted the evacuation of at least four villages.

This incident occurred on the initial day of a heatwave which led to a substantial increase in temperature levels.

The fire was reported to be spreading across terrain situated north of Limassol, a city located in the southern region of Cyprus.

The intensity of the blaze was exacerbated by strong winds and elevated temperatures.

According to Andreas Kettis, a spokesperson for the fire brigade, there has been considerable damage inflicted upon some dwellings as a result of the wildfire.

To combat the fire, 14 aircrafts along with ground personnel were deployed in an attempt to extinguish the blaze which began around midday on Wednesday.

This large-scale operation was necessitated by the extreme weather conditions experienced on the island, where temperatures reached 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees Fahrenheit) inland.

An amber weather warning was issued due to these conditions.

Forecasters predict that temperatures are expected to rise further to 44 degrees Celsius on Thursday, potentially surpassing the highest temperature recorded this year.

Heatwaves and forest fires are not uncommon occurrences; however, their impact on human life and property damage have escalated in recent years.

A tragic example of this was seen in 2021 when four men from Egypt lost their lives in a fire incident.

The ongoing firefighting efforts underscore the pressing need for effective wildfire management strategies to mitigate the increasing frequency and severity of such incidents, particularly in regions susceptible to extreme weather conditions.