This article is from page 11 of the 2013-07-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A NUMBER of gorse fires broke out across the county over the weekend as drought condition once calling the county’s fire services into action.
Fire-fighters were called out on Saturday night to deal with a large gorse fire near the Hand Cross in Miltown Malbay.
The fire, which was situated close to a major blaze which destroyed acres of land earlier this year, was quickly brought under control.
The Clare County Fire and Rescue Service was also called to a minor grass fire on the N18 near Ballymorris over the weekend. This fire was also brought under control quickly.
The number of gorse and forest fires taking place during the recent drought has been reduced greatly as a result of the early wet start to the year. Many forest and scrub areas, which is previous years would have been susceptible to fire, have been saved so far this year because of a larger than normal growth of green vegetation earlier in the year.
Clare chief fire officer Adrian Kelly has called on the public to be vigilant and keep a close eye on vegetation in the weeks ahead.
“As the current spell of weather is conducive to forest, bog and gorse fires, we would like to remind landowners that it is an offence under the Wildlife Act to burn growing vegetation between March 1 and August 31 in any year, on any land not then cultivated. The sad fact is that if this simple rule was adhered to, many costly and dangerous wildfires would be avoided,” he said.
Landowners burning gorse, scrub, or vegetation must inform the Fire Service at least one day in advance and provide details of the location, time and duration of burning. Landowners burning within 1 mile of woodland must notify the local Garda Station and woodland owner in writing at least 7 days in advance.