Ministers issue strong warning around forest fire dangers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, have issued a warning to landowners and members of the public to be mindful of fire risks during the current fine weather.

Minister Heydon said: “Given the fire risk on bog and mountain land in Spring, it is important that no one should start an illegal fire in these areas. Wildfires can put homes and livelihoods at direct risk, lead to unnecessary diversions of vital emergency service resources and cause considerable disruption to rural communities, wildlife and habitats. We have seen this unfold for real in some of our rural communities in recent weeks during the unusually dry Spring. Nobody should light fires in bogs, forests or other potentially flammable areas at this time of year.

“The farming community has the most important role to play in the control of fire in our landscapes through the appropriate management of land, vegetation and potential fuels. 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 this risk. Some of these key preventative actions in high risk areas are directly supported through the network of schemes and European Innovation Partnership projects funded by the Department, for example through ACRES. We are asking for everyone’s cooperation in the prevention of wildfires and to join in the protection of these lands over the coming months.”

The Department has issued a Condition Orange – High Fire Risk warning which runs until midday on Monday, May 19. The department activated its Fire Danger Rating System back in March for the 2025 fire season and the current fire warning is the seventh such notice issued this year. So far more than 3,000 hectares of land are known to have been affected by fires this year, mostly on open bog and mountain lands. Fire Danger Notices issued by the Department give forest owners and land managers time to prepare for oncoming periods of fire risk.

The minister added: “Wildfire is an easily preventable threat to our hills, bogs, forests 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.”

Minister Healy-Rae advised forest owners and managers to check and update fire plans and other relevant contingencies such as insurance, access, water points, and private helicopter contracts etc., and to be prepared well in advance of high fire risk phases.