'An easily preventable threat' - McConalogue warns public against starting illegal fires

Landowners and members of the public are being warned not to carry out any illegal burning during spring and summer. 

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, issued the warning yesterday (March 1) in the wake of several "uncontrolled burning events" in various parts of the country. 

Minister McConalogue said such incidents have a "massive" environmental impact, damage lands due to the uncontrolled nature of the fires, and put lives and property at risk. 

He said, "Given the inherent fire risk in spring, it is important that no one should start an illegal fire in the countryside and give rise to unnecessary diversions of vital emergency service resources.

"Late spring wildfires can put homes and livelihoods at direct risk and cause considerable disruption to rural communities, wildlife and habitats. We have seen this unfold for real in our rural communities in recent years. 

"The farming community has a central role to play in the control of fire in our landscapes through the management of land." 

The minister said the reduction and maintenance of high-risk vegetation (such as purple moor grass, heather, and gorse/whin) in high fire risk areas is critical to managing the risk. 

He continued: "Some of these key preventative actions in known high risk areas are directly supported and demonstrated through the network of EIP projects funded by my department. We are asking for the cooperation of all countryside users in the prevention of wildfires and to join in the protection of these lands over the coming months.” 

The department has now activated its Fire Danger Rating System for the season.

The Minister advises forest owners and managers to check and update fire plans and other relevant contingencies such as insurance, access, water points, and private helicopter contracts.  

Rural people should also assess wildfire risks to their properties and prepare accordingly, including removing dangerous flammable vegetation around homes and other assets in high-risk areas. 

Forest visitors are reminded to behave responsibly, to observe relevant local bye-laws, and to park considerately so as not to impede access of emergency vehicles if needed. 

According to the Department of Agriculture, there is a very firm link in recent years between wildfire ignitions and illegal dumping and burning of domestic waste in many areas, and malicious burning at forest amenity sites and turf bogs open to the public. 

The Department asks all countryside users to be vigilant, to report any suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana, and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999 service. 

The Minister reminds farmers and landowners that the exemption for the burning of agricultural green waste closed on 1 March 2023, and will reopen for a final three-month period from 1 September 2023 to 30 November 2023 to allow the agricultural sector to deal with accumulated waste. 

This agricultural green waste includes untreated/uncontaminated hedgerow trimmings, leaves, bushes, or similar materials generated by agricultural practices. 

If you burn land between 1 March and 31 August you risk prosecution, fines and potential imprisonment, and such land will no longer be eligible for payment under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability scheme and other area-based schemes. 

The Minister concluded: "Wildfire is an easily preventable threat to our hills, bogs and habitats. Everyone must play their part in supporting our emergency services and ensuring they are not needlessly diverted.

"Both landowners and the wider public, whether they are at work or enjoying the countryside, should be mindful of the significant risks of fire at this time of year and be aware of the damage to land and habitats caused by illegal burning.”