Tag Archives: wildfires

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is advising landowners to desist from burning activities due to a heightened risk of gorse, forest and bog fires. The Fire Service says the warm, dry weather, combined with easterly winds, has created “tinderbox” conditions across the county Firefighters from Ennis, Kilrush and Ennistymon responded to one of the largest wildfires of the year to date last evening when two square kilometres of bog and gorse were scorched on Ben Dash, located between Lissycasey and Kilmaley. Brigades were in attendance for nearly 11 hours at fires in the area. With forecasts suggesting a return to drier conditions early next week, following some light rain this weekend, the Fire Service says the risk posed by uncontrolled burning remains high. Denis O’Connell, senior assistant chief fire officer said that there has been significant damage to forestry and land as a result of last night’s fire. He also asked that people are vigilant and that they call the …

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Tom Hayes has today reminded forest owners and managers, farmers and members of the public of the need to be alert to the risk of wildfires over the coming weeks. “In recent years we have experienced a number of major wildfires that destroyed or damaged property, including farmland and forests. These events endanger people’s homes, place enormous strain on the resources of the emergency services and put the lives of rural dwellers and emergency service personnel at considerable risk,” he said. The minister noted that following dry weather patterns, a wildfire risk can quickly develop in all areas where flammable vegetation such as grasses, gorse and heather are present, especially in proximity to forests and other assets. He has asked land owners, rural dwellers and other land users to maintain a high degree of vigilance regarding fire over the coming months. Suspicious activity should be reported to the gardaí and uncontrolled or …