Cease burning immediately

CORK County Fire Service has now called on all landowners to “cease and desist all controlled burning effective immediately”.

Since last Thursday, Bantry, Castletownbere, Schull, Skibbereen, Dunmanway, Midleton, Macroom, Mallow and Fermoy Fire Brigades have all attended various gorse and outdoor fires, the fire service has said in a statement.

“Some of these calls required the attendance of multiple brigades.

“In light of the ongoing Covid-19 National Emergency, Cork County Fire Service wish to advise all landowners to cease and desist all controlled burning effective immediately.”

“Since 1st March it is illegal for landowners to burn off scrub, vegetation etc. from the land. These fires can draw important fire brigade resources away from responding to other emergency calls, especially at this current time when our resources may be required elsewhere”.

“For anybody living in areas that are prone to gorse fires we would as always advise that you remove gorse and dead vegetation from around buildings, oil tanks, fences, forestry and poles in order to reduce your risk of losses due to any potential gorse fires that may occur.”

“During this current crisis, Cork County Fire Service would like to reassure you, that should you require the Fire Service we will as always be ready to attend Emergency calls.

“We would like to thank you for your continued support and cooperation with this. Stay home and stay safe,” the service statement concluded.