ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence: Final report on the devastating wildfire

Final report on the devastating wildfire from ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence

According to the latest analysis by the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, the devastating wildfire that broke out in the Limassol district on 23/7/2025 is estimated to have burned a total of 120.7 km².

The burned area corresponds to approximately 1.3% of the island’s total surface.

This loss affects not only the region’s biodiversity and natural heritage but also the local communities and ecosystems, which will require decades to recover.

The estimate is based on high‑resolution (3 m) satellite data from the PlanetScope constellation, acquired on 26 July 2025 at 09:00 (UTC).

Also, according to data from the WorldCover program of the European Space Agency (ESA), of the total burned area:

-approximately 51% consists of grasslands,

-31% shrubland,

-15.5% forested areas,

-while 1.1% corresponds to residential areas.

Additionally, approximately 21% of the burned area falls within the Natura 2000 network, affecting important protected sites, including the Paramaliou River, the Cha-Potami Special Protection Area, and the Limmati Valley Special Protection Area.

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