Warning by gardaí after helicopter launch delay
GARDAÍ have issued a warning about the lighting of fire in a forested area in Strandhill after the smoke from one recently delayed the launch of the rescue helicopter from Sligo airport.
Gardaí have published a photo of the remnants of a recent fire lit in the forest at Airport Road, Strandhill.
A post on the local Garda Facebook post said: “This might look like a great night’s fun for some people. Some might say ‘we have all done it’. Some say ‘sure what harm are they doing’. The fact is, it could have devasting consequences.
“The main issue this recent fire caused was that Rescue 118 was delayed from taking off, due to the smoke from this fire. This is unacceptable. The work that the staff in Rescue 118 carry out is life saving. Every minute matters. “Although the intention of these young people, when lighting the fire, was most certainly not to delay the rescue helicopter, and we are not alleging that, at all. However, the fact is, this fire did result in the delay. This is something we need to avoid happening again.”
The gardaí say that thankfully on this occasion the helicopter’s delay did not result in any tragedy, however they say they would not like to speculate what might happen the next time.
They say they will be carrying out further patrols of the area and said anyone responsible for fires like this can be prosecuted.
But the gardai say the responsibility for this “cannot be left with the local gardaí, the community as a whole must take responsibility. We are asking parents to know where your children are going, to know what they are doing, and to ask them to be responsible”.
They add: “The message is clear. Please do not light any fires in those woods. It could actually result in life or death. It could be your family that they are going to rescue.”