Dry weather sparks fresh spate of farm fires
DAERA and Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) are request farmers and the public for their help during the current dry out weather condition spell which has sparked a wildfire warning.
The hot and dry weather has left the countryside vulnerable to fires acquired by burning of vegetation or waste and littering and dumping of waste materials could put our emergency services under more pressure. Information technology damages our surroundings and puts human lives, belongings and wildlife at risk.
Agronomics and Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "As we work our way through the COVID-19 crisis, no one should commencement a fire in the countryside and identify further strain on our emergency services. A number of significant wildfire incidents accept occurred over recent weeks which have threatened holding and destroyed valuable habitats.
"Wildfires are rarely natural. They are almost always started either deliberately, or by reckless called-for or disposal of flammable vegetation or waste product material. Waste or litter might also contain drinking glass, which can easily start a burn down on a sunny day."
Due to the fourth dimension of year and prevailing atmospheric condition conditions (such as those associated with high pressure systems) an increased burn risk is deemed to exist in all areas where dead grasses and shrubs such as heather and gorse exist. Ongoing predominantly dry out weather, with a brisk wind at times, volition exacerbate the potential for wildfires to spread.
Minister Poots added: "It is important that nosotros all play our part in protecting our communities and vulnerable citizens during this national emergency, to ensure that we do not add unnecessary pressures to the emergency services.
"I'm urging the public to take farthermost caution because wildfires could result in tragedy for people caught in the line of a burn – don't burn waste product or vegetation and don't fly-tip or drop litter."
Michael Graham, Primary Burn & Rescue Officeholder (Interim) Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said: "Dealing with wildfires unnecessarily draws our resources abroad from where they are needed nigh, protecting our community. Thanks to our planning, the changes nosotros have made to how we deliver our service, and the hard work of our people, we are well placed to keep protecting our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, still information technology is important that the public work with us to non add whatsoever boosted pressure on the emergency services during this time.
"We would therefore appeal to farmers to support us by non conveying out controlled burning and remind the public to exercise common sense in the countryside. "
The public are reminded that deliberate setting of wildfires is a crime and if you lot see anyone setting a fire yous should call the PSNI immediately.
If you see a fire:
- If you lot encounter a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service;
- Do non attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water;
- Leave the area equally presently equally possible;
- If you see someone setting fires, report it to the PSNI.
If you exercise know people who are fire setting, allow the PSNI know to assist with prosecutions.
If you are in the countryside:
- Extinguish cigarettes and other flammable materials properly
- Never throw cigarette ends out of motorcar windows
- Avert using open fires in the countryside
- Exist considerate in parking vehicles and then as not to impede admission past emergency vehicles.
Notes to editors:
- The law states that burning of vegetation such equally heather, gorse, whin or fern must not exist carried out between fifteen Apr and 31 August and only carried out at other times of the year nether controlled and expert supervision. In addition it should exist noted that fires that impact on designated sites such equally an Areas of Special Scientific Interest and their features may be an offence if consent has not been obtained from DAERA.
- Fly-tipping and dropping litter are offences.
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.
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Source: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/dry-weather-sparks-wildfire-warning
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