With a grim predictability, the first dry spell of Spring has seen a surge of wildfires across Ireland. Since Friday the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) has recorded 15 wildfires from counties Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Galway, Donegal, Louth and Mayo. Eight of these were in areas protected for nature conservation – all are illegal as setting fire to vegetation is prohibited between March 1st and August 31st each year.
IWT Campaigns Officer, Pádraic Fogarty, says “every year we see the same wildlife wipe-out as hillsides and bogs get torched. It’s devastating not only for the natural environment but for the people who live in these areas as their livelihoods and property are put at risk. We need to see greater coordination between the Gardaí, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture to clamp down on this illegal activity”.
The IWT wants to thank the fire services for the work they do in bringing blazes under control. We also want to thank the members of the public who have used social media and other means to let us know about fires in their areas. We are urging people to contact us at
irishwildlife@iwt.ie with details so that we can log as many of these fires as possible. END
