Land owners in fire ‘hot spots’ to be targeted in forestry protection plan

LANDOWNERS in fire “hot spots” will come under increasing scrutiny from security authorities as part of a series of new forestry protection measures.

Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Sean Connick has approved 10 measures recommended by the Land and Forest Fires Working Group. One of the first approved will see the rolling out of a publicity campaign aimed at reducing damage caused by uncontrolled fires from February to April.

Mr Connick said: “Uncontrolled burning of vegetation poses a grave and unacceptable risk to the lives and livelihoods of farmers and forest owners throughout the country. Spring is generally unsuitable for burning vegetation, due to dry conditions, strong winds and the presence of dead and dry vegetation, especially in upland areas.”

The Coillte estate suffered more than 1,900 acres of damage in 2010, three times its prior recorded annual average.

Along with an awareness campaign, the group proposed severe penalties, greater interaction with forestry producer groups, and a code for controlled burning.

The Fire Services and Emergency Planning Division of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been asked to compile data identifying land-based fire “hot spots”. This will see a greater focus on uncontrolled land burning through strengthened cross-reporting arrangements and enforcement, said the working group.