Forest fire warning issued following dry spring weather
Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued a high fire risk warning amid dry spring conditions increase the risk of wildfires across rural areas.
The Condition Orange – High Fire Risk notice will remained in place until 19 May.
This is the seventh fire danger notice issued in 2025.
According to the department, more than 3,000 hectares of land have been affected by fire this year, primarily bog and mountain areas.
Ministers call for public and landowner vigilance
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, and Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae urged landowners and the public to avoid lighting fires and to support emergency services.
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.”
Heydon added that farming practices, supported by department-funded schemes such as ACRES, play a key role in managing fire risk.
He said: “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.”
Fire plans and contingencies urged for forest owners
Minister Healy-Rae advised forest owners and land managers to ensure readiness for fire events through updated plans and contingencies.
Healy-Rae said: “People living in rural areas should also assess wildfire risks to their properties and prepare accordingly.
“Dangerous flammable vegetation immediately around homes in high-risk areas should be removed, especially around oil tanks and other fuel stores.
“There has been a very significant increase in the use of outdoor amenities and forest recreation sites by the public in recent years, which is to be welcomed.
“However, a larger proportion of forest fires can now be attributed to recreational users and activities. Forest visitors are reminded to behave responsibly, to observe relevant local bye-laws and to park considerately so as not to impede access of emergency vehicles to incidents.”
Link between illegal activity and fire incidents highlighted
The department noted a growing link between fire ignitions and unlawful practices including illegal dumping and domestic waste burning.
Healy-Rae said: “There is a very firm link in recent years between wildfire ignitions and illegal dumping and burning of domestic waste in many areas, and malicious burning at forest amenity sites and turf bogs open to the public.
“A significant proportion of land burned to date during 2025 is land associated with turf cutting.
“My department asks all countryside users to be vigilant, to report any suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana, and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999 service.”
Ireland issues warning over forest fire dangers amid dry spring conditions: Summary
Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued a Condition Orange – High Fire Risk warning until to midday Monday, 19 May.
The warning follows dry weather and is the seventh such notice in 2025.
More than 3,000 hectares of bog and mountain land have been affected by fires this year.
Minister Martin Heydon urged the public not to light fires in flammable areas.
He said farming practices are essential in reducing fire risk and noted department-supported schemes such as ACRES.
Minister Michael Healy-Rae advised forest owners to review fire plans and contingencies.
Healy-Rae asked residents in rural areas to clear flammable materials near homes.
He also noted that increased recreational site use has been linked to higher fire ignitions.
The department reported a link between wildfires and illegal dumping and burning.
The public was asked to report suspicious activity and uncontrolled fires to emergency services.