Status Orange High Forest Fire Risk Warning extended until Tuesday 4th August
- Status Orange HIGH Forest Fire Risk Warning in place Nationally until 12pm Tuesday 4th August
- 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 current weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where flammable vegetation such as dead grasses and heather and gorse exist.
While light rain across western and northern regions has reduced overall fire risks in these areas, overall fire risk remains highest in southern and eastern regions. Soil moisture deficits remain at a very high state in most regions, pending sustained or heavier rainfall. There is a continued risk of underground peat fires on bogs and difficulty of fire suppression where fires occur. This situation is likely to continue to persist for some time, most especially in southern and eastern regions. Windspeeds may meet or exceed critical 30km/h thresholds in eastern and southeastern areas at times which may adversely affect fire behaviour, spread rates and difficulty of suppression.
With the August bank holiday weekend ahead and expected increased use of amenity areas, continued high vigilance to fire is warranted in areas with open public access and high fire risk activities. Vigilance on all peatland types continues to be especially warranted. Landowners and managers should remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana. Farmers and people working with machinery in flammable crops like hay and cereals should ensure machinery is well maintained and not a fire risk, monitor equipment, bearings, belts regularly and clear dust build ups. Machinery should not be left unattended in high-risk fields.
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. Members of the public are urged to stay away from areas with active fires and keep local access roads clear to allow emergency vehicles unhindered access. The public is also asked not to operate drones in the vicinity of fires, as they pose a significant risk to helicopter operations.
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.
