There have been no major forest and land fires so far this year as we have avoided prolonged dry periods. The forecast is for dry weather conditions and we know from past experience that a few dry days can create the optimum conditions for forest fires.
Fires have destroyed over 1,500ha of forests annually in the past with losses of 700,000m3 in future timber production.
Most forest fires that occur in Ireland start as a result of people burning dead vegetation, so what starts out as a vegetation or gorse fire may end up as a forest fire.
The fires of 2010 and 2011 were caused by illegal and careless vegetation burning, especially from March to May.
Persons engaged in such illegal activity are liable to be prosecuted and could face fines, imprisonment and penalties to their Single Farm Payments.
The advice to landowners and the public is to follow a few steps that can safeguard the forest resource, especially against fire damage.
Vigilance, preparedness and co-operation between the public, farmers and other landowners are vital to prevent forest fires. Forest owners should have a fire prevention checklist with the following elements:
Fire plan
It is essential that forest owners prepare fire plans from the day they establish their forests.
A basic written fire plan should include:
Contact names and phone numbers of fire brigade, gardaí, helpers, local doctor, and contractor with water carrier or slurry tank to carry water.Map to include location of access and gathering points, public and forests roads, firelines and water points.An inventory of fire-fighting equipment, ready for use, including fire beaters, shovels, knapsack sprayers and water pumps, dust masks and high-visibility vests.It is important to discuss the fire plan with forest producer groups and neighbours.
Fire breaks
Most forest fires begin outside the forest, so forest owners should ensure that fire breaks (a minimum of 6m wide) surrounding plantations are free of vegetation. Likewise, internal firelines (including roads) are also inspected and maintained in a vegetation-free condition.
Forest insurance
All forest crops should be insured against losses by fire. Insurance should cover complete replacement and potential re-establishment costs for the crop.
Burning
The advice is not to light fires in or near woodlands. Apart from the obvious danger, it is a criminal offence to burn vegetation – on land not then cultivated – between 1 March and 31 August.
Vigilance
Forest owners should be particularly vigilant following prolonged dry spells, especially at weekends. Wildfire risk warnings are issued by the Forest Service in four colour-coded categories (see Table 1).
Report fires
Prompt reporting of forest fires to your Garda station, forester or plantation owner is essential. Do not wait for somebody else to make the call. Dial 999 or 112.
Report losses
If a plantation is destroyed or damaged by fire, the incident should be reported to the nearest Garda station, the Forest Service and your insurance company.
The Forest Service issues forest fire danger ratings (FDRs) during the main wildfire risk season to provide forest owners and managers with advance warning of high fire-risk weather conditions.
FDRs are generally based on the daily Met Éireann fire weather index (FWI) and European fire data, with additional risk analysis by the Forest Service. Like other forms of weather warnings, they are colour-coded (Table 1). T
There have been no major forest and land fires so far this year as we have avoided prolonged dry periods. The forecast is for dry weather conditions and we know from past experience that a few dry days can create the optimum conditions for forest fires.
Fires have destroyed over 1,500ha of forests annually in the past with losses of 700,000m3 in future timber production.
Most forest fires that occur in Ireland start as a result of people burning dead vegetation, so what starts out as a vegetation or gorse fire may end up as a forest fire.
The fires of 2010 and 2011 were caused by illegal and careless vegetation burning, especially from March to May.
Persons engaged in such illegal activity are liable to be prosecuted and could face fines, imprisonment and penalties to their Single Farm Payments.
The advice to landowners and the public is to follow a few steps that can safeguard the forest resource, especially against fire damage.
Vigilance, preparedness and co-operation between the public, farmers and other landowners are vital to prevent forest fires. Forest owners should have a fire prevention checklist with the following elements:
Fire plan
It is essential that forest owners prepare fire plans from the day they establish their forests.
A basic written fire plan should include:
Contact names and phone numbers of fire brigade, gardaí, helpers, local doctor, and contractor with water carrier or slurry tank to carry water.Map to include location of access and gathering points, public and forests roads, firelines and water points.An inventory of fire-fighting equipment, ready for use, including fire beaters, shovels, knapsack sprayers and water pumps, dust masks and high-visibility vests.It is important to discuss the fire plan with forest producer groups and neighbours.
Fire breaks
Most forest fires begin outside the forest, so forest owners should ensure that fire breaks (a minimum of 6m wide) surrounding plantations are free of vegetation. Likewise, internal firelines (including roads) are also inspected and maintained in a vegetation-free condition.
Forest insurance
All forest crops should be insured against losses by fire. Insurance should cover complete replacement and potential re-establishment costs for the crop.
Burning
The advice is not to light fires in or near woodlands. Apart from the obvious danger, it is a criminal offence to burn vegetation – on land not then cultivated – between 1 March and 31 August.
Vigilance
Forest owners should be particularly vigilant following prolonged dry spells, especially at weekends. Wildfire risk warnings are issued by the Forest Service in four colour-coded categories (see Table 1).
Report fires
Prompt reporting of forest fires to your Garda station, forester or plantation owner is essential. Do not wait for somebody else to make the call. Dial 999 or 112.
Report losses
If a plantation is destroyed or damaged by fire, the incident should be reported to the nearest Garda station, the Forest Service and your insurance company.
The Forest Service issues forest fire danger ratings (FDRs) during the main wildfire risk season to provide forest owners and managers with advance warning of high fire-risk weather conditions.
FDRs are generally based on the daily Met Éireann fire weather index (FWI) and European fire data, with additional risk analysis by the Forest Service. Like other forms of weather warnings, they are colour-coded (Table 1). T
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: