STATUS ORANGE HIGH FOREST FIRE RISK WARNING IN PLACE NATIONALLY UNTIL 12 NOON TUESDAY, 6 MAY
A status orange high fire risk warning is in place across the May Bank Holiday Weekend due to current dry weather patterns.
The warm, dry conditions Ireland is currently experiencing are expected to continue into the weekend, increasing the risk of fire spreading, particularly with low humidity and moderate winds.
With increased visitor numbers to local forests expected over the May Bank Holiday, Coillte is urging the public to avoid lighting fires or barbecues in high-risk areas outdoors and to remember:
- Do not light fires in the outdoors around forests or open land.
- Do not attempt to intervene or fight forest fires under any circumstances.
- Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire.
- Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location.
- Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service Instructions
Landowners and rural users should stay alert, report any suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána, and ensure emergency access routes remain clear.
With the weather becoming warmer and dryer, dead grasses, gorse and heather become much more flammable and fire spreads quickly once ignited. These forest fires can be devastating and almost always arise from preventable human activities- whether this be the lighting of barbecues or campfires in wooded areas or the burning of land that spirals out of control.
The ramifications of forest fires are far reaching and severe. Not only do they jeopardise public safety and the lives of those in the Emergency Services and working in forestry who are battling the flames , but they also wreak havoc on ecosystems, wildlife, and protected habitats. Forest fires are extremely dangerous, they should never be approached and members of the public should never attempt to extinguish them.
Visitors to forest recreational areas are urged to comply with fire safety protocols, respect relevant bye-laws, and ensure that parked vehicles do not obstruct access for emergency services.
Check www.coillte.ie for up-to-date information on site accessibility.
