‘It’s very unfortunate that people are lighting fires at this time of year’
Cllr Ali Farren was speaking after a wildfire raged across a large area of hill land near homes in Clonmany last night
An Inishowen County Councillor has said it’s “very unfortunate” that people are choosing to light outdoor fires, which can quickly spread out of control during this time of year.
Cllr Ali Farren was speaking after a wildfire raged across a large area of hill land near homes in Clonmany last night.
The 100% Redress Councillor is reminding people that it’s illegal to burn vegetation on uncultivated land, such as heather, gorse, or grass, in Ireland between March 1 and August 31.
Under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, it is an offence to cut, grub, burn, or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing on uncultivated land during this period.
“It’s very unfortunate that people are lighting fires at this time of year, which affects the wildlife and everything else, but also puts firefighters at risk unnecessarily,” Cllr Farren said.
A major wildfire broke out in Clonmany last night, with the flames threatening a number of homes in the area.
Firefighters from across Inishowen desperately battled the fire, which could be seen from miles away, for several hours.
It’s understood that the blaze broke out shortly after 9pm in the Annaugh townland, and that homeowners in the area narrowly escaped the worst of it.