Warnings About Forest Fire Risk Issued

Farmers, forest owners and managers, and members of the public have been warned of the "inherent risk of fire" during spring months.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also reminded the general public that a number of major wildfires have occurred in recent years which destroyed or damaged property, including farmland and forests.

Following dry weather patterns, a wildfire risk can quickly develop in all areas where flammable vegetation such as grasses, gorse and heather are present, especially in proximity to forests and other assets. Land owners, rural dwellers and other land users are asked to maintain a high degree of vigilance regarding fire over the coming months.

The Department urges all forest owners and forest managers to check their fire plans and to ensure that fire-breaks are clear of flammable vegetation and forest access routes are clear of obstructions.

Land owners are reminded that it is illegal, under the Wildlife Acts, to burn growing vegetation on uncultivated land between 1st March and 31st August and that persons engaged in such illegal activity are liable to prosecution.

The Department also warns landowners that land found to have been burned during the specified closed season for burning would be considered automatically ineligible under the various support schemes, and that a variety of detection systems, including satellite based systems, were now in place to detect fire hotspots and trigger more detailed eligibility inspections where required.

Suspicious activity should be reported to the Gardaí and uncontrolled or unattended fires should be reported immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services. Forest owners must be especially vigilant in protecting their investments. 

(MH/LM)