Status Orange High Forest Fire Risk Warning In Place Until Monday June 12th
- Status Orange HIGH National Forest Fire Risk Warning in place until midday Monday June 12th
- The public and landowners 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, which remains in place until midday Monday June 12th.
Arising from continued high-pressure dominated 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. Continued Westerly high-pressure dominated weather will continue to create dry conditions across Ireland, ahead of an expected change and arrival of low-pressure weather systems over the weekend.
Ahead of this, where fires do occur, fire behaviour is likely to be moderated by advanced live fuels growth, particularly in upland grasses but may be adversely influenced by stronger easterly wind conditions over coming days. Increased levels of fire behaviour and increased difficulty controlling fires should be expected during this time.
Recent fires appear to be strongly associated with public recreational activity in high risk areas, and ignitions on areas associated with turf cutting. Members of the public and visitors to recreational areas should not bring barbeques, light fires or engage in any other fire risk activity during this time. Visitors to forests and other lands 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.
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 midday June 12th unless otherwise stated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
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.
Advice to the General Public/Forest Visitors
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.
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.
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