Write a commentA fire in the vicinity of the Flagstaff at the weekend took 16 hours for fire crew to extinguish. It was just one of nine gorse/ shrubland fires that Louth Fire Service had to attend in a four day period.
Louth County Council is appealing to all landowners and those who have upland commonage land in the Cooley Peninsula, and other shrubland areas in the county, to be vigilant and to ensure that there is no illegal burning of gorse or other vegetation on their land.
The Council is making the call after Louth Fire Service attended nine serious gorse and heather fires in the Cooley Mountains between 17th and 20th April. Due to the dry conditions, these were extensive fires, which burned large areas of vegetation. The fire service was in attendance at one of these fires in Flagstaff Hill, Omeath, for 16 hours. This was a particularly serious fire as it was immediately adjacent to forestry on both sides of the border.
Commenting, Chief Fire Officer with Louth County Council, Eamon Woulfe said: “All burning of land is prohibited and these fires are therefore illegal. It appears that many wildland fires are not accidental, so we would appeal to landowners to be vigilant about what is happening on their land. These fires have caused considerable disruption to rural communities and habitats, and have threatened the homes of vulnerable people isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They also put extensive areas of forestry at risk.
“In addition, the scale of these fires has put Louth’s fire and medical first responder service resources under strain, when they are already exceptionally busy during the COVID-19 pandemic. They can also cause a public safety risk by diverting fire brigade resources away from life-risk fires, including serious house fires.”
Also referring to the threat from wildfires Stormont Agriculture and Environment Minister Edwin Poots said “As we work our way through the COVID-19 crisis, no one should start a fire in the countryside and place further strain on our emergency services. A number of significant wildfire incidents have occurred over recent weeks which have threatened property and destroyed valuable habitats.
“Wildfires are rarely natural. They are almost always started either deliberately, or by reckless burning or disposal of flammable vegetation or waste material. Waste or litter might also contain glass, which can easily start a fire on a sunny day.”
Michael Graham, Chief Fire & Rescue Officer (Interim), Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service added “Dealing with wildfires unnecessarily draws our resources away from where they are needed most, protecting our community. Thanks to our planning, the changes we have made to how we deliver our service, and the hard work of our people, we are well placed to continue protecting our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, however it is important that the public work with us to not add any additional pressure on the emergency services during this time.
“We would therefore appeal to farmers to support us by not carrying out controlled burning and remind the public to exercise common sense in the countryside.”
If you see a wildfire you are asked to contact the emergency services immediately.
