Status Orange: High forest fire risk warning

With temperatures set to remain in the mid-20s, Teagasc is urging all involved in outdoor activity to exercise extreme caution and to heed the high level warning for fires in place for the coming week.

Due to current dry weather patterns and high temperature, a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist. This risk phase is expected to peak by Friday, July 23.

High outdoor visitor activity levels can be expected in line with the fine weather and the normal pattern of summer holiday usage. Members of the public intending to visit forests and other recreational sites are reminded to adhere to regulations introduced to limit the spread of Covid-19. Vehicles must not be parked at site entrances or impede emergency service access to forest roads. Forest visitors should not use barbecues, or open fires at any stage. Wildfires not only pose a serious risk to property and the rural environment, they also threaten lives directly in their path and may potentially divert the resources of our emergency services.

Teagasc asks farmers, land owners, rural dwellers and those using the countryside to be extremely vigilant in light of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Condition Orange Fire risk alert and reminds everyone that it is illegal to burn growing vegetation on uncultivated land between 1 March and 31 August. Teagasc also urges forest owners and forest managers to remain vigilant over the coming days and to have appropriate measures in place to help prevent loss or damage through fire.