Minister warns people to be alert to risk of wildfires

Despite a ban on the burning of vegetation at this time of year, fire services are being kept busy fighting out-of-control gorse fires in mountainous districts.

Minister of State for Agriculture Tom Hayes yesterday issued a warning to forest owners and managers, farmers and members of the public to be alert to the risk of wildfires over the coming weeks.

“In recent years, we have experienced a number of major wildfires that destroyed or damaged property, including farmland and forests,” he said.