Status Orange High Forest Fire Risk Warning In Place Until Monday 26th July
- Status Orange HIGH National Forest Fire Risk Warning in place until Monday July 26th
- Forest visitors should not use barbeques or open fires at any stage.
- All land owners urged to obey restrictions in place for land burning.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have issued a Status Orange, High Forest Fire Risk Warning, which remains in place until Monday July 26th.
Arising from continued high temperatures and dry weather a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist. This situation can be expected to persist into next week, pending rainfall.
High visitor levels are being experienced at recreational sites in line with fine weather and summer holiday usage patterns. Members of the public visiting forests and other recreational sites are reminded to adhere to regulations introduced to limit the spread of Covid-19. Vehicles must not be parked at site entrances or impede emergency service access to forest roads. Forest visitors should not use barbeques or open fires at any stage.
Fire behaviour and spread rates are likely to be moderated by high live moisture levels in vegetation, however higher windspeeds may influence more active fire behaviour.
Where fire outbreaks occur at or near recreational areas the following actions should be taken by visitors in the interests of safety.
- Do not light fires in and around forests or open land.
- Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances.
- Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire.
- Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location.
- Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service Instructions.
The need for increased vigilance at this time cannot be overstated. Forest owners, farmers, rural dwellers and other countryside users are asked to be extremely vigilant regarding fire activity, to report any suspicious or illegal activity to the Gardai and to report all fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999.
Landowners are also reminded that under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to burn growing vegetation on uncultivated land between 1st March and 31st August. Persons engaged in such illegal activity are liable to prosecution and could face fines, imprisonment and penalties to their farm payments.
Members of the public and visitors to recreational areas should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.
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