Status Orange High Forest Fire Risk Warning Issued for Easter Weekend
Status Orange HIGH Forest Fire Risk Warning Issued for Easter Weekend
- Status Orange HIGH National Forest Fire Risk Warning in place until Tuesday April 6th
- Fire Risk predicted to peak on Sunday April 4th.
- Landowners and the public should avoid all outdoor fires and other open ignition sources.
- 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, for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Arising from current weather patterns a high forest fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where dead grasses and dry heather and gorse exist. While fair weather is forecast over coming days, an increase in fire risk can be expected ahead of forecast rain fronts over the long weekend. This risk will peak on Sunday, April 4th.
Current ignition risks appear to be mainly associated with illegal burning of waste in high risk areas with public access. There is also an established pattern of risk associated with the Easter Bank Holiday weekend and increased public activity in the countryside generally at this time. Members of the public intending to visit forests and other recreational sites are reminded of the requirement to remain within 5km of their homes and 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.
Coillte advise that all outdoor use of fires, barbeques and other open ignition sources be avoided on forest lands and in other high risk areas until further notice.
Pending significant rainfall, this risk condition will remain in place until 1200hrs on Tuesday, April 06th, 2021 unless otherwise stated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
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.
For more information, please visit www.coillte.ie or for regular updates follow Coillte on Twitter @coilltenews
