Burning 'well controlled by farmers' as dry weather heightens fire risk
Firefighters in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare have tackled wildfires triggered by dry conditions in the past week, but controlled burning by farmers has been well managed, a fire officer has said.
Gorse fire in Glencullen, Co Dublin. \ Dublin Fire Brigade
ADVERTISEMENT
Wicklow Fire Service reported it had crews from six stations fighting gorse fires from the Dublin border to Hollywood on Tuesday night, one of several fire fronts in the county. Meanwhile, Dublin Fire Brigade has tackled several wildfires in the Dublin mountains in the past week. Crews from Kildare Fire Service have also dealt with gorse fires in recent days.
Dublin Fire Brigade sub-officer Darren O'Connor said this was not the first time wildfires had happened in February, with several reported last year as well. Warm, dry conditions have lowered fuel moisture in the vegetation, favouring fires, he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland show on Wednesday.
O'Connor said that 28 February is the last day for legal controlled burning on agricultural land.
"Some of the fires we're receiving calls for are controlled burning. They're very well controlled by farmers, this is an act that they carry out every year to clear land and encourage regrowth," he said.
"The ideal conditions have been met for controlled burning in the last week or so because there's no wind. Wind is a big danger if you do controlled burning, the embers can be carried across," O'Connor said. While he did not rule out this happening in the past week, he pointed out that some fires also started along paths used by walkers.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the headline, summary and link below:
Title: Burning 'well controlled by farmers' as dry weather heightens fire risk
Firefighters in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare have tackled wildfires triggered by dry conditions in the past week, but controlled burning by farmers has been well managed, a fire officer has said.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Wicklow Fire Service reported it had crews from six stations fighting gorse fires from the Dublin border to Hollywood on Tuesday night, one of several fire fronts in the county. Meanwhile, Dublin Fire Brigade has tackled several wildfires in the Dublin mountains in the past week. Crews from Kildare Fire Service have also dealt with gorse fires in recent days.
Dublin Fire Brigade sub-officer Darren O'Connor said this was not the first time wildfires had happened in February, with several reported last year as well. Warm, dry conditions have lowered fuel moisture in the vegetation, favouring fires, he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland show on Wednesday.
O'Connor said that 28 February is the last day for legal controlled burning on agricultural land.
"Some of the fires we're receiving calls for are controlled burning. They're very well controlled by farmers, this is an act that they carry out every year to clear land and encourage regrowth," he said.
"The ideal conditions have been met for controlled burning in the last week or so because there's no wind. Wind is a big danger if you do controlled burning, the embers can be carried across," O'Connor said. While he did not rule out this happening in the past week, he pointed out that some fires also started along paths used by walkers.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS