The dry weather that’s expected over the next week has increased the risk of wildfires, with a condition orange warning issued from 12pm 22 May until 12pm 30 May.

“An increased ignition risk is associated with increased human activity in high-risk areas owing to fine weather, particularly areas associated with turf cutting activities and areas adjacent to urban centres,” a statement from the Department of Agriculture reads.

“Recently, increased live growth in upland vegetation, low to moderate wind speeds and localised high humidity may moderate fire behaviour where conditions permit.”

Penalties

There is an ongoing issue around burnt land penalties applied to farmers’ BPS payments last year.

The penalties have been applied due to burning out of season, but farmers argue that they should not be liable for penalties when they did not start fires themselves.

A new hedge-cutting bill is awaiting approval in the Dáil, which would allow controlled burning in certain areas in March.

Read more

Burnt land: 'The farmer isn’t the guilty party'

Watch: Dublin fire brigade tackles mountain fires