High Forest Fire Risk Warning Extended
A Status Orange High Forest Fire Risk Warning has been extended until Monday due to a continuation of the dry spell of weather.
Authorities have said that 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.
Current high-pressure dominated weather and warm, dry weather conditions are expected to remain in place over the weekend, with elevated fire risks expected in all areas during this period.
Fire behaviour and spread rates may be moderated by increasing levels of live growth in upland vegetation, but will also be influenced by low humidity levels and variable light to moderate windspeeds, which may exceed 20km/h in some areas at times.
Authorities say landowners and managers should remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana. Rural users should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.
According to Coillte, “Members of the public and visitors to our forests and other recreational areas should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and should not use barbeques or other outdoor fire sources in forest lands during the duration of this warning. Visitors to the countryside should be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.”
Where fire outbreaks occur at or near forest recreational areas the following actions should be taken by visitors in the interests of safety.
- Do not light fires in and around forests or open land.
- Do not attempt to intervene or fight 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.
