ALERT: 'High risk' orange forest fire warning issued amid warm weather forecast

Temperatures are set to hit highs of 20 degrees this coming weekend with dry and sunny weather in the cards.

Advice has been issued ahead of a status orange high forest fire risk warning set in place nationally until 12pm Monday 27th April.

This advice has been issued by Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company, responsible for managing 440,000 hectares of primarily forested lands.

It is the nation’s largest forester and producer of certified wood, a natural, renewable and sustainable resource and is also the largest provider of outdoor recreation space in Ireland.

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Coillte warns landowners and the public to avoid all outdoor fires and other open ignition sources. All land owners are urged to obey restrictions in place for land burning.

"Members of the public and visitors to our forests and other recreational areas should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and should not use barbeques or other outdoor fire sources in forest lands during the duration of this warning. Visitors to the countryside should be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles," Coillte warns.

Coillte said that "arising from current and forecast weather patterns 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.

"Current high-pressure conditions are forecast to transition to easterly high-pressure conditions during the span of this notice.

"While some areas may be subject to rain during this time, elevated fire risks are expected in all areas during this period, especially western coastal and North-western areas.

"Fire behaviour, spread rates and difficulty of suppression will be strongly influenced by increasingly dry fuel conditions, low humidity levels associated with easterly winds, and moderate to fresh windspeeds".

People are warned that an increased vigilance to fire is warranted in areas with open public access, active turf-cutting and other high-risk activities.

"Landowners and managers should remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana.

"Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbeques in high-risk areas. Rural users should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles," Coillte said.

Where fire outbreaks occur at or near forest recreational areas the following actions should be taken by visitors in the interests of safety.

1. Do not light fires in and around forests or open land.
2. Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances.
3. Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire.
4. Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location.
5. Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service Instructions.