Status Orange fire warning for Laois woodland

Coillte has issued advice to anyone visiting woodlands in Laois as a fire risk warning is in place. 

The Department of Agriculture has issued the Status Orange, High Forest Fire Risk Warning, which will remain in place nationally until Monday, April 7 at noon.

The fire risk warning was issued due to the current weather conditions and the forecast for more dry weather in the coming days. 

“Strongly elevated fire risks are expected in areas with fire-prone upland vegetation types, and fire behaviour and spread rates are likely to be strongly influenced by lower humidity levels associated with easterly winds and elevated windspeeds, which may exceed 20km/h at times,” Coillte warned.  

The Slieve Bloom Mountains in Laois suffered devastating fires in July of 2018 when forest and gorse fires raged and it's hoped those scenes will never be repeated. 

Coillte has issued advice to visitors to forests in Laois while the warning is in place.  

“Members of the public and visitors to forests and other recreational areas should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and should not use barbecues or other outdoor fire sources in amenity areas. Visitors to the countryside should be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles,” they stated. 

Coillte is asking people not to light fires in and around forests or open land, not to attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances and to phone fire and rescue services at 112 and report fires. 

“Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire,” Coillte stated. 

They also urged people to evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all emergency service instructions.