Coillte and NPWS Mark Beginning of Forest Fire Safety Season
Coillte and NPWS urge public vigilance as forest fire safety season begins across Ireland.
As Ireland enters the forest fire risk danger period, Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are urging the public to be extremely vigilant when enjoying the outdoors.
Representatives from both organisations joined Wicklow Fire Service on Tuesday to mark the beginning of forest fire safety season. Pat Neville, Coillte Communications Manager, Ann Fitzpatrick, District Conservation Officer with the NPWS, and Aidan Dempsey, Chief Fire Officer with Wicklow Fire Service, gathered to highlight the increased risk of forest and wildfires during the spring and summer months.
The joint initiative comes as drier weather conditions increase the threat to Ireland's forests, national parks and nature reserves. In previous years, Coillte and the NPWS have deployed drone technology to monitor designated hotspots, with cameras capable of peering through smoke and sensors that track wind direction and weather variables affecting how fires spread.
Wildfires are not a natural phenomenon in Ireland. The vast majority are caused by human activity, whether through illegal burning of scrub, carelessness or the reckless discarding of cigarettes and barbecue coals. The prohibited period for burning growing vegetation runs from 01 March to 31 August each year, and it is a legal offence to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy vegetation on uncultivated land during this period.
The consequences of wildfires can be devastating. Last year, a fire at Wild Nephin National Park in Co Mayo destroyed the Claggan Boardwalk, an all-ability nature trail built by the NPWS in 2017, and caused significant damage to protected habitats and wildlife. Wildfires also place enormous strain on emergency services and can pose a serious risk to life.
Coillte, which manages approximately 7% of Ireland's land, recommends the following steps to help prevent forest fires:
Do not light fires in or near woodland. Report any suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána. Report any forest fires to the local fire brigade immediately. Do not approach forest fires under any circumstances, as they are extremely dangerous. Keep access points and forest entrances clear for emergency services.
If you encounter a fire, contact the emergency services immediately on 112.