Status Orange High Forest Fire Risk Warning in place until Tuesday 6th May
- Status Orange HIGH Forest Fire Risk Warning in place Nationally until 12pm Tuesday 6th May
- 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 hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist. Current easterly high-pressure dominated weather and warm, dry weather conditions are forecast to gradually give way to westerly High-pressure conditions which are expected remain in place over the weekend.
Elevated fire risks are expected in all areas during this period. Fire behaviour and spread rates will be strongly influenced by increasingly dry fuel conditions, low humidity levels and variable light to moderate windspeeds. Windspeeds may exceed 20km/h in some areas at times.
With continued fine weather and the May Bank Holiday weekend ahead, higher levels of visitor activity are expected in the countryside. Additional vigilance is warranted in areas with open public access. Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbeques in high-risk areas. Landowners and managers should remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana. Rural users 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.
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.
