Status Orange High Forest Fire Risk Warning extended until Friday 17th July
- Status Orange HIGH Forest Fire Risk Warning in place Nationally until 12pm Friday 17th July
- 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
Arising from continued high temperature weather patterns 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.
Current dry conditions are forecast to continue with further high temperature phases throughout the span of this notice. Elevated fire risks are expected in all areas during this period but will be especially focussed on eastern regions. With soil moisture deficits increasing there is an added risk of underground peat fires on bogs where fires occur and an increased availability of larger fuel types across all land types. Fire behaviour may also be adversely affected by light to moderate easterly winds during the span of this notice.
Continued vigilance to fire is warranted in areas with open public access and high fire risk activities. Landowners and managers should remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana. Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbeques in high-risk areas. Rural users should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant byelaws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.
Advice to the General Public/Forest Visitors
Members of the public and visitors to our forests and other recreational areas should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and should not use barbeques or other outdoor fire sources in forest lands during the duration of this warning. Visitors to the countryside should be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.
Where fire outbreaks occur at or near forest 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.
