Teagasc Warns About Danger of Forest Fires
19 March, 2003
Teagasc has appealed to all forest owners and rural dwellers to be on the alert for forest fires over the coming weeks.
Stephen Meyen, forestry adviser with Teagasc, said the current dry spell increases the risk of forest fires.
"Fire danger is increased when there is a lot of vegetation and brushwood in the forest, combined with low relative air humidity, high air temperatures and wind speed. These circumstances exist at present in young plantations where there is still plenty of grass and will continue if dry conditions prevail during April and May," he said.
"Extreme care should be taken with cigarettes, matches, barbecues, picnics or glass in forests. It is important to stress that anyone who is suspected of starting a forest fire, even unintentionally, is liable for prosecution," he warned.
He also warned that the Wildlife Act prohibits the burning of any vegetation within one mile of a forest, unless advance notice is given to the Gardai. It is also an offence to burn vegetation growing on land which is not cultivated between 1st of March and 31st August.
Stephen Meyen also stated that a management plan, including a fire plan for plantations over 10 hectares, must be submitted to the Forest Service before the forest maintenance grant is paid. This grant is paid four years after trees are planted.
"With up to 1,000 hectares of forestry lost in some years due to fire it is essential that all productive forests are insured. There are a number of effective policies on offer and forest owners should shop around for the most suitable," he advised.
