Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has appealed to landowners to be aware of their responsibilities in relation to gorse fires in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.
Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts prohibits burning from March 1 to August 31 and anyone found to be in breach of the regulations is likely to face prosecution.
“Fires endanger nature and people and the setting of fires in these conditions is dicing with danger and destruction,” the NPWS said.
Rangers and the fire service dealt with a fire incident in the Five Mile Bridge area of Killarney National Park on Wednesday evening with emergency crews responding quickly following reports to assess the damage and control and quench the fire.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, said the incident is a timely reminder to get out and enjoy the good weather but to do it responsibly and without putting nature, park and emergency services personnel and the general public at risk.
“I am appealing to everyone to be vigilant and not to light fires or barbecues in public places. That includes our National Parks and Nature Reserves, coastal sand dunes, mountains and upland areas, forests, meadows and urban parks,” he said.
Minister O’Sullivan said illegal and uncontrolled fires cause irreparable damage to wildlife, habitats, the environment and also put our communities at risk.
“Our national parks protect nature and wildlife in those places where our most treasured and vulnerable species live and make their homes.
The public are often our first responders so please contact emergency services on 112 if you notice a fire incident,” the minister added.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the NPWS, said over the past few years, the NPWS has really invested in its capacity to respond to fire incidents quickly. This includes increasing the size of our ground crews, widespread use of technology, aerial monitoring and training.
“Thankfully in this case, local NPWS staff and fire services acted quickly and averted a much more serious incident. I commend them on the alacrity and professionalism of their response,” he said.
Mr Ó Donnchú and Minister O’Sullivan, who were in Killarney last weekend to launch an exhibition of portraits in Killarney House, appealed to landowners to be aware of their responsibilities in relation to gorse burning.
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