Irish forests to be monitored from the air

Legislation prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of “vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch” between March 1 and August 31.

Tue, 19 Mar, 2024 - 15:33

Ray Ryan

National parks and nature reserves will be patrolled from the air over the coming months to prevent fire outbreaks.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is stepping up its approach to fire prevention and detection with increased monitored and capacity to respond to incidents.

Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, who announced the move, said illegal fires put communities and properties at risk, place emergency services under pressure, and can cause irreparable damage to the natural heritage.

“The NPWS is ready to respond in the months ahead. Aerial surveillance is a highly effective tool to prevent the outbreak of fire in our national parks and nature reserves," he said. “Our ’eyes in the sky’ patrols will be busy – day and night – over the coming weeks and months."

Minister Noonan said the air patrols will initially concentrate mainly on the west coast and south to Cork and Kerry.

There will be close surveillance on Killarney National Park and nature reserves in the west and south. Slieve Bloom and the Wicklow and Dublin Mountains will also be covered.

“NPWS staff will continue to work with the Gardaí and Fire services and will run aerial surveillance, alongside ground patrols, with increasing regularity over the coming months right across the country and across our network of national parks and nature reserves,” he said.

Stressing that prevention remains the key approach, Niall Ó Donnchú, NPWS director general, added: “We are now using nationwide air cover in early detection and to assist us in the prosecution of illegal burning.”

Mr Ó Donnchú said the NPWS has strengthened its approach to wildlife crime, formalised cooperation with An Garda Siochána, and enhanced its capacity for fire prevention.

This had been done through planning, specialist training, additional equipment, staff on the ground, public vigilance, volunteering, and fire mapping data.

“This means that we are ready to respond quickly in the event of fire in our parks and nature reserves, and our investigative capacity is significantly enhanced,” he said.

Minister Noonan has meanwhile called on the public to protect nature as spring begins.

Damage to hedgerows and illegal and uncontrolled fires are some of the activities that can cause harm to nature and wildlife at the onset of the nesting and breeding season.

Legislation prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of “vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch” between March 1 and August 31.

“There are very limited exemptions, for example, for health and safety reasons. There is no exemption for the burning of vegetation during this period. Breaches of Section 40 of the Wildlife Act constitute a wildlife crime and will result in prosecution," he said.

“In addition to the prosecution, the breach will be cross-reported to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and a sanction may be applied under Conditionality to the farmer(s) area-based payments,” he said.

Minister Noonan also called on the public to avoid lighting fires in nature settings. In recent years, illegal and uncontrolled fires have caused significant damage to protected areas and National Parks, notably Killarney National Park and Wicklow Mountains National Park.

He also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and help protect nature. They are the first responders and can play their part in protecting nature by reporting any incidents or suspicious activity to the NPWS or the Gardai.

Where evidence of offences is found, action will be taken and appropriate enforcement under wildlife legislation will be vigorously pursued, he said.