Status Orange fire warning issued for long weekend after scorching weather

Irish Daily Mirror

01-05-2025

Members of the public have been warned to avoid lighting fires or barbeques in high-risk areas outdoors this Bank Holiday weekend, with a Status Orange fire warning in effect until next Tuesday.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued the Status Orange warning, meaning a high fire risk, on Tuesday in the midst of a recent warm and dry spell that is set to last through the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The hottest temperature ever recorded in the month of April in Ireland was confirmed by Met Éireann on Wednesday, with the mercury reaching 25.8C in Athenry in Galway, equalling the previous record set in Glenties in Donegal in 1984.
While temperatures are set to drop in the coming days, the forecast is for dry weather with only occasional showers, 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, the body responsible for managing large portions of forest and land throughout the country, 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.
Speaking on the importance of vigilance during both this warning and peak forest fire season, Pat Neville, Communications Manager for Coillte, said: 'Just as more people begin to venture into our woodlands over the spring and summer months, dryer conditions bring a heightened risk of forest fires. In our experience, 99% of forest fires stem from human actions, not natural causes.
"While we welcome and encourage increased visitor numbers to our forests that have since reopened after the damage caused by Storm Éowyn, we want to urge caution for both this upcoming bank holiday weekend and the next few months. Please exercise care and refrain from lighting fires in the outdoors. If you see a forest fire, do not approach it and report it to the local emergency services immediately.
"Coillte remains committed to safeguarding our natural heritage and ensuring the safety of all individuals in forested regions. By fostering a culture of awareness and responsibility, and by working together we can collectively mitigate the threat of forest fires and preserve and protect the beauty of Ireland's landscapes.'
Coillte has warned of the 'far-reaching and severe' ramifications of forest fires, which jeopardise public safety and the lives of those in the Emergency Services and working in forestry who are battling the flames, as well as wreaking havoc on ecosystems, wildlife, and protected habitats.
The ecological damage and heightened emissions of C02 pollutants can be profound and enduring, requiring years, if not decades to recover. At this time of year, wildlife is especially vulnerable to fire such as ground nesting bird species.
Forest fires also exact a heavy financial toll on forest owners, encompassing the costs of firefighting operations, the devaluation of timber resources, and the expenses associated with rehabilitating scorched landscapes and replanting the forest.
Coillte has issued a reminder that 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.
Members of the public are also reminded that 46 of out 230 recreation sites currently remain closed due to ongoing safety concerns as a result of Storm Éowyn. Coillte has asked for continued patience and understanding as it continues to carry out vital clean-up works.
Please respect all signage and barriers, and check www.coillte.ie for up-to-date information on site accessibility.