Warning not to start gorse fires: COVID-19 will stretch Fire Service

PEOPLE are being asked not to start gorse fires this year because Kerry Fire Service may be needed to assist in the fight against COVID-19.

The appeal comes from the Assistant Fire Officer for Kerry, Michael Flynn, who said fire personnel are potentially facing an unprecedented challenge and may be called upon to help in virus-related emergencies.

“The last thing fire staff will need is to be stretched to capacity dealing with gorse fires that are preventable and shouldn’t be lit,” he said.

Mr Flynn explained that Kerry Fire Service’s role in cases where people are infected by the COVID-19 virus is helping the ambulance service with patients.

“We will assist the emergency teams by providing manpower and to help lift people who may be incapacitated. Different buildings and locations can be difficult for ambulance staff to get to, which is when we will be needed,” he said.

Kerry Fire Service responded to 252 gorse fires between January and the end of September 2019, up from 189 during that period in 2018.

So far the damp weather may be limiting the scale of gorse fires, but fears are this could change if the weather improves.

“We’re still going to have to deal with house fires and road traffic accidents. The COVID-19 response will be a new challenge for us,” Mr Flynn said.

“You only have to look at what’s happening in Italy and Spain. This situation is changing every day.

“There is also the possibility that some of our own staff may get the virus, and this would put a further strain on our ability to respond.

“This is why we’re asking people not to light gorse fires. This will only put severe pressure on a limited crew,” he said.

Kerry County Council has also issued a directive asking people to be vigilant against starting fires in the countryside as carelessness can endanger lives and cause severe damage to forests and wildlife.

Wildfires and gorse fires are almost always started by humans, either deliberately or through carelessness.

It stated that fires put a significant strain on the resources of the Fire Service, particularly at a time in which the Fire Service may be required to deal with additional responsibilities.

In 2019, fire crews in Cahersiveen, Killorglin, Castleisland, Tralee and Killarney were stretched to the limit dealing with gorse fires. Many of the fires destroyed vast areas of scrub-land, endangering wildlife and property.

Photo by Domnick Walsh Kerry Fire Service personnel are appealing to members of the public not to engage in the illegal burning of gorse, particularly during this period in which emergency services might be busier than usual. Pictured here is Eoin O’Donnell – Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, and John O’Donnell – Acting SubStation Officer Tralee Fire Brigade – considering potential responses to alerts in the Fire Service incident room at Tralee Fire Station.