Dry weather sparks wildfire warning | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Dry weather sparks wildfire warning

DAERA and Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) are asking farmers and the public for their help during the current dry weather spell which has sparked a wildfire warning.

 

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The hot and dry weather has left the countryside vulnerable to fires caused by burning of vegetation or waste and littering and dumping of waste materials could put our emergency services under more pressure.

It damages our environment and puts human lives, property and wildlife at risk.

 

 

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 a 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,” he added.

Due to the time of year and prevailing weather conditions – such as those associated with high-pressure systems – an increased fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where dead grasses and shrubs such as heather and gorse exist.

 

 

Ongoing predominantly dry weather, with a brisk wind at times, will exacerbate the potential for wildfires to spread.

Minister Poots added, “It is important that we all play our part in protecting our communities and vulnerable citizens during this national emergency, to ensure that we do not add unnecessary pressures to the emergency services.

“I’m urging the public to take extreme caution because wildfires could result in tragedy for people caught in the line of a fire – don’t burn waste or vegetation and don’t fly-tip or drop litter,” he added.

Michael Graham, Chief Fire & Rescue Officer (Interim) Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said, “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,”  he added.

The public is reminded that deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence and if you see anyone setting a fire you should call the PSNI immediately.

 

Keep up to date with all the latest Northern Ireland Coronavirus / Covid-19 news HERE

 

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Posted by on Apr 23 2020. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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