The Forestry Department is on red alert amid increased risk of forest fires because of soaring temperatures.

The Met Office has already issued an extreme high temperature warning for Monday saying maximum temperatures will hit 41 C inland and 33 C in the mountains.

Forestry Department head Charalambos Alexandrou told CyBC on Monday morning that the department was at its utmost readiness. Air and land patrols have been stepped up and personnel are all on alert, he said.

And he urged the public to be particularly careful and to alert authorities if they see smoke or fire.

Alexandrou said that in five cases so far this year, a tip off by members of the public who detected fire had been instrumental in getting fire fighters to the spot quickly.

In a written statement announcing the red alert, the Forestry Department warned that based on the weather forecast for Monday, the risk of forest fires is particularly high.

It appealed to the public to avoid any actions or activities which may cause a fire.

Anyone who spots smoke or a fire within or close to a forest is urged to immediately contact the closest forest station or to telephone 1407 (Forestry Department) or 112 (fire service).

The Forestry Department announcement came on the back of a yellow alert issued by the Met office warning that maximum temperatures on Monday will rise to 41 C inland and 33 C in the mountains.

The yellow alert is in force from 11 am to 5 pm.

In its Monday morning weather forecast, the met office said seasonal low pressure and a warm air mass are affecting the area.

Monday will be manly fine with temperatures of 41 C inland, 32 C on the west coast, around 35 C on the remaining coasts and 33 C in the mountains.

Monday night will be mainly fine with possible low cloud and patchy fog at dawn in the west. Temperatures will fall to 23 C inland, around 24 C on the south and east coasts, around 22 C on the remaining coasts and around 20 C in the mountains.

Tuesday will be mainly fine while on Wednesday and Thursday there will be intervals of increased cloud. Low cloud or patchy fog is possible at night and early in the mornings.

Temperatures will remain at the same levels on Tuesday, edging down on Wednesday and Thursday but remaining at above average for the time of year.

Source: In-Cyprus.com