Forestry and Wildfires
Uncontrolled wildfires can have devastating consequences to forests and upland habitats but also pose a threat to homes, property and lives.
Forest fires are a major concern for forest owners. February to May is a particular high risk period for as dead moorland vegetation can dry out very fast and it becomes highly flammable, however prolonged dry spells, outside this period poses risk also.
While some fire may be accidental, many have been shown to result from inappropriate and/or illegal burning of scrub, malicious intent and carelessness. Forest owners and neighbouring landowners should be particularly vigilant during evenings and weekends, when fires are most likely to be started.
The prohibited period for the burning of growing vegetation runs from 1 March to 31 August.
All members of rural communities can assist and share responsibility for the protection of our countryside, forest resource and property. Awareness of the real threat from fire, forward planning, co-operation and effective prevention mechanisms are critical elements to achieve this.
Irish Forest Fire Danger Ratings
View the current Forest Fire Danger Rating
Forest Fire Danger Notices are issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine during the main wildfire risk season from February through to October. These notices provide forest owners and managers with advance warning of high fire risk weather conditions and permit appropriate readiness measures to be taken in advance of fire outbreaks.
Forest Fire Danger Notices are generally based on fire weather data courtesy of the European Commission Copernicus System, ECMWF and Met Éireann with additional processing and daily analysis by DAFM, in conjunction with other relevant agencies.
Like other forms of weather warnings they are colour-coded. Increasing levels of preparation and vigilance are required as the risk levels scale from Green through to Red:
Condition Green – Low Fire Risk
Condition Yellow –Moderate Fire Risk – Be Aware
Condition Orange – High Fire Risk
Condition Red – Extreme Fire Risk
Measures for forest owners
Forest owners should take appropriate measures to minimise the threat to their forests from wildfires during the fire risk season. The following simple, cost-effective steps can go a long way towards reducing the risk of damage:
Fire Plan
Ensure you have a current and accurate fire plan for each forest. A fire plan should include a map showing access and assembly points for fire fighting personnel and equipment and potential sources of water. Also include contact details for the emergency services, relevant forest management companies, forest owner groups, neighbouring landowners and forest owners in order to summon help should the need arise. Have fire-fighting tools such as beaters, buckets, knapsack sprayers and pumps to hand and ready to use.
Work with your neighbours
Co-operation is vital to achieve successful fire prevention. Explain your concerns regarding fire risk to your neighbours. The shared threat from fire can present an ideal opportunity for a community to work together. Owners of adjoining and neighbouring forests can and should develop joint fire plans and share responsibility for guarding against fire.
Be vigilant
Forest owners should be particularly vigilant following dry spells. A period of 24-48 hours is sufficient to dry out dead moorland vegetation following rain, where windy conditions exist. Where dry conditions persist, experience suggests that forest owners should be particularly vigilant at weekends, and at evening times, when land burning is most likely to take place and when fires from barbeques etc can occur. If fire is detected, do not delay, summon help immediately and activate fire plan (see above). Do not rely on others to call the Fire Service.
Fire breaks and access routes.
Fire breaks are one way stopping a fire from spreading and can also provide access routes for emergency vehicles when maintained correctly. Where fire breaks are in place, ensure that they are inspected regularly and kept vegetation free. Firebreaks should be at least six metres wide. Fire breaks should be mapped and their maintenance plan should be included in an overall forest management plan.
Insure your forest crop
The DAFM requires beneficiaries of planting grants and premiums to maintain and protect their forests. This includes an obligation to replant where a forest is damaged by fire. It is therefore strongly recommended that forest owners assess their plantation and the risks involved. Ensure there is adequate insurance cover, including replanting costs. Re-establishment costs vary depending on the age and species of the forest but are often in the region of €3,000 per hectare. Timber values increase with age and the annual insurance premium will reflect this increasing timber value. Fire brigade call-out charges can be substantial and adequate cover for this should be also considered within any insurance policy.
Forest owners should shop around for the most suitable policy, taking into account cover for fire, storm, lightning and other specified risks including cover for loss of timber value, cost of replanting, fire brigade charges, public liability and employers liability.