Forestry owners are being urged to take extra care as dry conditions continue to create a heightened risk of wildfires across the country.
Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) farm forestry chair Padraig Stapleton issued the warning while the Department of Agriculture’s fire danger notice remains in place until Friday.
A prolonged spell of dry weather, combined with drought conditions and a large amount of dead vegetation, has left many areas particularly vulnerable to fire.
Several forest fires have been reported in recent days, including outbreaks in Tipperary and Kerry. More than 25ha of Killarney National Park have also been damaged since the start of a fire there.
Prevention
“Prevention is the best defence against forest fires. During this fire danger notice, it is advised not to have barbecues in open spaces, including disposable barbecues. Dispose of cigarettes carefully to avoid inadvertently starting a fire and do not throw rubbish away illegally,” Stapleton outlined.
“If you encounter a fire, move to a safe location immediately. Report fires by calling 112 and follow emergency instructions,” he concluded.
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