Fire Service issue Safety Notice on controlled burning

The Cavan Fire Service have announced that controlled burning is not permitted until further notice.

In light of the on-going COVID-19 National Emergency and, with the increased risk of fires on grasslands, forests and peatlands, controlled burning of untreated/uncontaminated wood, trees, trimmings, leaves, bushes or similar materials by the agricultural community is not permitted until further notice.

The public should note that all notices informing Cavan County Council of controlled burning will not be accepted for the duration of this emergency and that they should refrain from all forms of controlled burning at this time.

It should also be noted by the public that if a 999/112 call is received relating to any controlled burning event on their property, then the Fire Brigade will be mobilised to attend and extinguish the fire. All the costs associated with the attendance of the Fire & Rescue Service will be invoiced to the property owner.

This measure has been deemed necessary when Fire & Rescue Services resources may be stretched due to COVID-19 crisis and, at a time when Cavan County Fire Service must maintain essential staffing levels to guarantee the safety and security of the people of Cavan.

Chief Fire Officer Noel O’Reilly said: “All frontline emergency services will be under pressure to maintain staffing levels during this public health emergency, and diverting firefighters to preventable grassland, forest, and peatland fires could impact on our ability to respond to emergencies elsewhere in the county, so we are asking the agricultural community and the general public for their cooperation during this unprecedented crisis”.

For further information contact info@cavancoco.ie or call 049-4378300.