High risk forest fire warning extended for Laois ahead of bank holiday weekend
Laois Fire and Rescue Service issued the orange warning which will now remain in place until August 4
A high risk forest fire warning for Laois has been extended ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Laois Fire and Rescue Service issued the orange warning which will now remain in place until August 4. The Fire Service said in particular there is a continued risk of underground peat fires on bogs.
“While light rain across western and northern regions has reduced overall fire risks in these areas, overall fire risk remains highest in southern and eastern regions. Soil moisture deficits remain at a very high state in most regions, pending sustained or heavier rainfall. There is a continued risk of underground peat fires on bogs and difficulty of fire suppression where fires occur. This situation is likely to continue to persist for some time, most especially in southern and eastern regions. Windspeeds may meet or exceed critical 30km/h thresholds in eastern and south eastern areas at times which may adversely affect fire behaviour, spread rates and difficulty of suppression,” the Fire Service said.
“With the August bank holiday weekend ahead and expected increased use of amenity areas, continued high vigilance to fire is warranted in areas with open public access and high fire risk activities. Vigilance on all peatland types continues to be especially warranted. Landowners and managers should remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana. Farmers and people working with machinery in flammable crops like hay and cereals should ensure machinery is well maintained and not a fire risk, monitor equipment, bearings, belts regularly and clear dust build ups. Machinery should not be left unattended in high-risk fields.
“Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbecues in high-risk areas. Rural users should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant byelaws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles. Members of the public are urged to stay away from areas with active fires and keep local access roads clear to allow emergency vehicles unhindered access. The public is also asked not to operate drones in the vicinity of fires, as they pose a significant risk to helicopter operations.”