The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has issued a Status Orange, High Forest Fire Risk Warning, which will remain in place nationally until 12pm Monday 7th of April.
Arising from current weather patterns 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 easterly high-pressure dominated weather continues to induce moderate to fresh south winds across Ireland and this is forecast to continue over coming days.
Strongly elevated fire risks are expected in areas with fire-prone upland vegetation types, and fire behaviour and spread rates are likely to be strongly influenced by lower humidity levels associated with easterly winds and elevated windspeeds, which may exceed 20km/h at times.
Advice to the General Public/Forest Visitors
Members of the public and visitors to 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 amenity areas. 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.
