There were 1,192 forest and grassland fires in 2024, latest fire brigade data shows.

The majority (over 250) of these forest and grassland fires were in Co Cork according to the statistics compiled by the Department of Housing who used data provided by fire services throughout the country.

Second on the list of forest and grassland fires was Co Waterford with 122 fires followed by Co Wicklow with 80 fires.

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Some 144 agricultural sheds went on fire in 2024 and required the assistance of the fire service, according to the data.

Cork again had the highest number of shed fires on 21 followed by Louth with 10 and Monaghan with nine.

Interestingly, just one fire occurred in 2024 in a thatched building. This is despite it becomingly increasingly difficult to get thatched properties insured in Ireland.

Meanwhile, chimneys, flues, hot ashes and soot were the top cause of all fires recorded in 2024, according to the data.

Fires occurring due to malicious intent and rubbish burning also featured highly in the statistics.

Call-outs

Fire brigades attended almost 20,000 fires in 2024 across various locations that included domestic buildings, industrial facilities, motor vehicles, forest and grassland areas, outdoor rubbish sites, right through to ships and aircraft/

Within homes, fires caused by electrical wiring and electrical equipment, cooking and heating all featured as causes of fire attended by fire brigades in 2024.

The data also records 25 total fatalities in 2024 from fire incidents in homes, with 21 of those 25 deaths involving people aged 55 or over.

Keith Leonard, national director for fire and emergency management said: “We can see from these figures that fatalities due to fire incidents are higher amongst those aged 55 and over. I would encourage all of us to think of older neighbours and relatives and the next time you are in their homes, check that they have a working smoke alarm – the most important piece of fire safety equipment for the home.”