BBQ stones ordered to be removed from Laois mountain areas over fire threat
Laois County Council were ordered to remove the stones in the Slieve Bloom Mountains
Laois County Council were ordered to remove barbecue stones at picnic areas in the Slieve Bloom Mountains as recent wildfires have sparked concerns around potential fires in Laois.
The recent wildfire on Slievenamon in County Tipperary has stirred some anxiety among local residents in the Slieve Bloom Mountain area regarding potential wildfire outbreaks there.
Speaking at the meeting of Laois County Council on Monday, July 27, Cllr James Kelly said a number of residents from the area have contacted him about the threat to the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
With persistent dry weather following the heatwave earlier this month, people across Laois were warned not to light disposable or portable barbecues in picnic areas or in the countryside generally to prevent the possibility of fire.
Laois County Fire & Rescue Service previously issued an orange warning for high fire risk in Laois and this will remain in place until midday on Wednesday, July 29.
“There is a threat there at the moment that something could happen on the mountain,” said Cllr Kelly regarding the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Cllr Kelly pointed out that there are stone blocks for barbecues in some of the picnic areas in the mountains, which given the recent warnings, he said were “not a good idea in hindsight.”
Director of Services at Laois County Council, Simon Walton, said that these stones will actually be removed by the council following a notice from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The NPWS issued a statutory notice to the council requiring them to remove any barbecue stones in areas controlled by Laois County Council, which totals around ten stones.
Mr Walton noted that the provision of these stones was initially part of the objectives of the NPWS to enhance the visitor experience in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. However, rangers have now recommended that they be removed due to the risk they pose to starting fires.
He added that the stones “should be gone over the next two to three months.”
In addition to this move, Cllr Kelly suggested that Laois County Council erect signs in these areas warning about the fire risk.
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