High fire risk warning in place for weekend 

A high fire risk warning will be in place for the weekend, with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine saying that the risk will exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses, heather and gorse exist. 

The risk, the Department says, comes as a result of the current weather patterns. 

"Current high-pressure dominated weather will induce settled conditions and higher temperatures across Ireland in coming days," the Department said in a statement. 

"While some areas may receive isolated rain showers during this time, most areas can be expected to see dry weather, light to moderate winds, higher temperatures and strongly elevated fire risks in areas with fire-prone vegetation types.

"Where fires do occur, fire behaviour is likely to be moderated by increased live fuels growth, particularly in upland grasses, but may be adversely influenced by light and variable winds," it added. 

☀️ Summer is here, for a while anyway!☀️
Due to current weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses, heather and gorse exist

⚠️Warning Effective From 1200hrs 09/05/2024
⚠️Effective Period Expires 1200hrs 13/05/2024 pic.twitter.com/EgOIvg2VQi

— Cork City Fire Brigade (@CorkCityFire) May 10, 2024

The Department appealed to members of the public and visitors to forests and other recreational areas to cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and said they should not use barbeques or other outdoor fire sources in amenity areas. 

"Visitors to the countryside should be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles," it added. 

The fire risk warning came into effect yesterday and will remain in effect until 12 noon on May 13.