There have been several wild fires recorded since temperatures got higher on Friday, according to the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT).
Counties Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Galway, Donegal, Louth and Mayo all suffered gorse fires.
A hill fire in #Redcastle, #Donegal this evening... pic.twitter.com/UwF6XDCiFS
— Greg Hughes (@GregHughes2) March 26, 2017
Eight of the fires were in areas protected for nature conservation, meaning they were illegal, as setting fire to vegetation is prohibited between 1 March and 31 August.
People engaged in such illegal activity are liable to prosecution and could face fines, and imprisonment.
Gorse fires in Connemara this evening. #Galway #fire. pic.twitter.com/ipqWQ1I9Ny
— Jimmy Norman (@JimmyNorman) March 25, 2017
“Every year we see the same wildlife wipe-out as hillsides and bogs get torched,” Pádraic Fogarty from IWT said.
“It’s devastating not only for the natural environment but for the people who live in these areas, as their livelihoods and property are put at risk.”
Six units of Galway fire brigade are trying to contain a gorse fire in Ros a' Mhíl and Casla tonight. Damage done to electricity lines. pic.twitter.com/tqYOW1q82w
— Cóilín Ó Neachtain (@neachtc) March 25, 2017
Pádraic called for greater co-ordination “between the Gardaí, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture to clamp down on this illegal activity”.
3 pumps dealing with another gorse fire this evening pic.twitter.com/IxMtzwpGct
— Bantry Fire Brigade (@BantryFire) March 26, 2017
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