Landowners have been warned not to carry out any illegal burning of land.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has said that given the current emergency arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that no one should start an illegal fire in the countryside.
“Such activity will cause the unnecessary diversions of emergency service resources. Wildfires put homes and livelihoods at direct risk and cause considerable disruption to rural communities and habitats.
“At any time but particularly in the current emergency, such disturbance to rural dwellers, including those who are old and vulnerable, cannot be permitted under any circumstances.”
The Department is reminding landowners that illegal burning poses “serious” risks to land eligibility and payments under agricultural schemes.
If you burn land between March 1st and August 31st:
- You risk prosecution, fines and potential imprisonment;
- Such land will no longer be eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme and other area-based schemes;
- Inclusion of illegally burnt land in the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme application may result in reduced payment and penalties under this scheme and the other area-based schemes, e.g. Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme;
- Illegal burning can also render the land of your neighbour’s ineligible for payment;
- Where it is identified that lands were burnt during the closed season this may result in such land being inspected by Department officials.
The Department has activated its fire danger rating system and the Minister advises that forest owners and managers should check and update fire plans and other relevant contingencies such as insurance, firebreaks, access and water points, helicopter contracts etc., so as to be prepared well in advance of high-fire risk phases.
Fire in uplands
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht also wishes to remind landowners and the public about the importance of closed season for the setting of fires.
In spring and early summer, it is prime season for nesting birds, breeding mammals and the regeneration of growth and habitats after the winter period.
The NPWS confirmed that they will be also be deploying electronic, and other surveillance in the vicinity of national parks and reserves.
The Department outlined that has been a very significant increase in the use of outdoor amenities and recreation sites by the public since the onset of Covid-19 measures nationally.
“There is an increased risk of fire associated with this in upland areas. Forest users and visitors are asked to behave responsibly, observe correct physical distancing practice and to park considerately so as not to impede access of emergency vehicles to sites.”
“There is also a firm link 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.”
The Department is asking all countryside users to be vigilant, to report any suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána, and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999 service.
