Public told be on high alert for wildfires

The public is being urged to be on the alert for wildfires, with the risk of outbreaks deemed high for the coming days due to dry weather.

More than 60 employees at Bord na Móna have volunteered to monitor fire-prone areas over the bank holiday weekend as a threat looms on the company’s lands.

The improved weather has signalled the start of farmers’ annual gorse-burning season, even if it is illegal to burn vegetation between March 1 and August 28 under the Wildlife Act.

Fire brigades in West Cork and Kerry have already been busy this week. Around 13 gorse fires have been reported in Kerry since Friday, the latest in the Lyrecrompane area, near Castleisland, yesterday.

Kerry’s assistant chief fire officer, Michael Flynn, said out-of-control gorse fires were taking fire brigades away from their bases in populated areas where emergencies could occur at any time.

“Often the gorse fires are in mountainous areas, with the result there can be a delayed response when a fire brigade has to go back to deal with other fires or accidents,” he said.

Following 650 gorse fires in Kerry in 2010, a Wild Fire Inter Agency, comprising the fire services, farming organisations, local authorities, and other bodies, was set up to create public awareness and co-ordinate responses.

Mr Flynn asked people starting fires of cut-waste, such as tree branches, to notify the fire service through the 999 or 112 call services. Such calls are logged so that if a member of the public reports a fire, reports can then be cross-referenced and the fire brigade might not be needed.

Elsewhere, Tom Hayes, the forestry minister, warned those involved in the industry, along with farmers and the public, that the high risk of wildfires is expected to continue this weekend.

Mr Hayes has issued a Condition Orange High Fire risk alert to the forestry sector and called for vigilance during the dry spell. He said vegetation in upland areas is currently highly flammable and ‘high’ to ‘extreme’ fire risk conditions already exist in many parts of the country.

“Many people will be outdoors enjoying the Irish countryside, from forest walks or family days out to hiking or camping trips. I would ask everyone to be alert to the danger of fire outdoors,” Mr Hayes remarked.

He has called on the public to report unattended fires to the fire services immediately, and to report suspicious behaviour or illegal burning to gardaí.

“Please enjoy our countryside and forests, but remember to light barbecues in designated areas only, be certain they are extinguished completely before you leave, and please bring all of your rubbish home with you,” Mr Hayes concluded.

Meanwhile, Bord na Móna has said the risk of wildfires is exacerbated during bank holiday weekends with more people outdoors.

* Information on fire prevention can be found on the Department of Agriculture website: agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/landandforestfires.