Department warning over illegal fires
FARMERS and their advisors have been warned they face stiff fines and possible imprisonment if they flout strict rules governing the burning of land to control vegetation.
The issue of illegal burning has been a problem for many years with farmers clearing their land at this time of the year in order to maximise its use for the year ahead.
However, it can result in fires burning wildly out of control posing a danger to property, rural infrastructure and the health of nearby residents.
With this in mind the Department of Agriculture has issued advice in relation to agricultural and eligible forestry land that is burned illegally during the closed season, which runs from March 1 to August 31.
As in previous years, the department is using satellite imagery to assess compliance with regulations and further inspections may be undertaken on lands where evidence of fires has been detected after the March 1 deadline.
A department spokesperson warned that those burning land during the closed season could face prosecution and that the land could be considered ineligible for payments under the Basic Payments Scheme and other initiatives.
They the department has activated its Fire Danger Rating System for the season, advising that forest owners and managers should check and update fire plans and other relevant contingencies such as insurance, fire-breaks, access and water points in order to be prepared well in advance of high risk phases.
The official said people living in rural areas should also assess wildfire risks to their properties and “prepare accordingly.”
“Both farmers and the wider public, whether it be at work or in enjoying the countryside, should at this time of year be mindful of the damage caused by burning. It is also more important than ever that no one should start an illegal fire in the countryside as such activity will cause the unnecessary diversions of emergency service resources,” said the spokesperson.
“The Department asks 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”.