Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has appealed to the public not to light fires or barbecues in public places – including Killarney National Park – this summer.
Following devastating wildfires that destroyed thousands of acres of the park in 2021, park bosses have appealed to the public to exercise renewed care and responsibility when outdoors.
The park has increased ground crews on fire patrol and has ramped up aerial monitoring with helicopters and drones.
Those that might notice a fire are asked to call the emergency services on 112 immediately. NPWS teams are upping their patrols to identify potential fire incidents and act quickly should one break-out.
“Prevention is better than cure and we’re asking all members of the public to avoid lighting fires in open areas,” said Minister Daragh O’Brien.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, said the national parks and nature reserves, coastal sand dunes, mountains and upland areas, forests, meadows and urban parks are home to precious wildlife and their vulnerable young.
“This is a really important time of year for wildlife, especially vulnerable ground-nesting birds and mammals who are now rearing their young. We all want to get out and enjoy the good weather but let’s do it responsibly – without putting nature at risk,” Minister Noonan stated.
The Director General of the NPWS, Niall Ó Donnchú, has also asked for everybody’s cooperation to protect nature.
“While the NPWS has increased ground crews and monitoring from the air this week, we still need to enlist help to protect nature at this high risk time.
“We ask that members of the public not light fires or barbecues in any national parks or nature reserves, or indeed in nature generally. We are also asking that the public be vigilant and report any fire activity without delay,” Mr Ó Donnchú said.
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