An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar has called for the public to heed warning in regard to lighting fires in forests, after witnessing a forest fire on the a flight home from Brussels.

“Heatwave continues and Govt monitoring situation closely. Enjoy the good weather but please do heed the advice,” Varadkar wrote in tweet on Friday.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the 30s over the weekend and the public has been urged not to light BBQ’s in forest areas.

The Department of Agriculture has issued a danger red rating for forest fires, which means there is an extreme risk of fire. This warning is arising from current prolonged high-pressure weather patterns, high temperatures and effective drought conditions.

Fires have broken out in Dublin and Cork, with the Air Corps providing support to fire services.

Water supply is becoming a serious issue and residents in Longford, Carlow and Kerry have been urged in particular to conserve as much water as possible.

There have been reports that some farmers are starting to see wells dry up as drought remains prevalent in some areas.

Farmers are urged to provide shelter for animals to help them avoid heat stress which could lead to pneumonia and have a ready supply of water available. In hot weather dairy cows can consume up to 120l of water a day.

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Watch: Air Corps help battle wildfires from up above