Dry spell sees Clare included in orange fire hazard warning

COUNTY Clare has been included in an orange fire hazard warning by the Department of Agriculture.

The warning is in place from this Monday, April 25 until Friday, April 29.

The forecast dry, warm smell has prompted the warning with the high fire risk deemed to exist in all areas where there are hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse.

The current low-pressure system located to the south of Ireland will gradually give way to high pressure centred over Ireland as the week progresses.

Continued largely dry weather will continue to influence flammability of fuels until at least Friday of this week.

Fire behaviour and rates of spread are likely to be influenced by light wind speeds and higher temperatures as the week progresses.

While lower windspeeds are forecast, humidity levels below 50% RH may influence more difficult fire behaviour in many areas. While some light rainfall is forecast in coming days, this may not reach into all areas and will not have a significant impact on fuels where it does occur.

Fire activity in recent days has largely been associated with active turf cutting areas and due vigilance is advised in relation to these.