Roundup: Authorities regaining control over Cyprus forest fires: gov't minister

Forest fires burning for more than three days in Cyprus' central mountainous region are now fully under control, a government minister said on Wednesday.

"Firefighting forces have managed to contain all major flare-ups," said Agriculture and Environment Minister Nicos Kouyialis.

"We can say that we have beaten the flames. But ground forces will continue tackling pockets of fires overnight to prevent a flare-up," Kouyialis told state television.

Justice and Public Order Minister Ionas Nicolaou had said earlier that the situation had become manageable. He said that firefighting planes were operating till nightfall.

Three planes from France and one from Italy joined 14 other aircraft from Greece, Israel, British bases and Cyprus at day break in dousing the flames with water and fire retardants.

"It may take two or even three days before we make certain that there is no danger of a new flare-up," said Kouyialis

Takis Tsindides, director of the Cypriot Forestry Department, said that that the blaze was contained in three flare-up spots and that efforts were focused on fires near two villages which were grazed by flames on Tuesday night.

The Forestry Department said that it was overwhelmed by volunteers after it issued an appeal for help and called on people to refrain from piling up in the fire regions until they are called.

Excluding scorching temperatures which topped 40 degrees Celsius, there was a complete lack of wind, giving ground forces the opportunity to snuff out isolated pockets of fire. Endit