The Department of Agriculture has issued advice to the public.
An orange-level high fire warning is now in effect for the entire country ahead of the incoming hot spell of weather.
Issued by the Department of Agriculture on Wednesday (10 August), it will remain in effect until midday next Tuesday.
The alert states that a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist.
“A high-pressure system currently positioned over Ireland will influence high air temperatures, low daytime humidity and light windspeeds during the rest of this week and into the weekend,” it reads.
“Recent similar hot weather phases have seen fire activity firmly associated with public recreation activities.
“Fire risk is expected to peak over the coming weekend 13-14 August.”
As such, members of the public and visitors to recreational areas are urged to cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety.
They are asked to not light fires in and around forests or open land and to “be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles”.
Also, the department said that where fire outbreaks occur at or near recreational areas, the following actions should be taken by visitors in the interests of safety:
- Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances
- Gather all family or group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire
- Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location
- Evacuate if instructed to do so and cooperate with all emergency service instructions
🟠 Condition Orange – high fire risk🟠
We have issued an Orange Forest Fire Warning arising from weather patterns and expected level of risk
🕛Warning in place until midday, Tuesday, August 16
➡️ https://t.co/WRuAMFZZjI pic.twitter.com/S5PVUIPkD8
— Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (@agriculture_ie) August 10, 2022
The fire warning comes after Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow high-temperature warning for 18 counties.
Published on Tuesday, the alert will come into effect from 12pm on Thursday until 6am on Sunday and will apply to all counties in the provinces of Leinster and Munster.
Met Éireann’s warning states it will be “very warm or hot” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with maximum temperatures generally of 27 to 29 degrees.
Ahead of the heatwave, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has asked road users to be aware of the dangers posed by the heat.
Meanwhile, Irish Water has urged the public to conserve water to ensure supplies are healthy into late summer and autumn.
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