Laois Fire Service issues Condition Red alert

An extreme fire risk warning has been issued for Laois where landowners are being advised to exercise caution. 

Laois County Fire and Rescue Service said the danger rating in the county is Condition Red - Extreme Fire Risk. 

The warning came into place at 3pm today and will remain in place until Monday, June 14 at 2pm. 

“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 hot and dry weather conditions are forecast to remain in place over the weekend with greatly increased forest fire risks expected as a result,” the warning states. 

“Additional vigilance is warranted in areas with open public access. Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbeques in high-risk areas. Landowners and managers should remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana.”

Members of the  public are being asked to cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and to be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.