A status orange wildfire warning has been put in place in Dublin as firefighters work to battle a blaze in Glencullen.
The alert is in place until midday on Saturday as the public is asked to be extremely cautious as wind patterns cause danger of more spread.
Taking to Twitter, Dublin Fire Brigade confirmed the warning status, writing: “An orange fire warning is in place from @agriculture_ie until midday Saturday.
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“Firefighters are currently dealing with a gorse #wildfire in Glencullen Co. Dublin. Smoke is visible but crews are working to bring it under control.”
According to the Department of Agriculture, “fire risk is expected to peak on Friday, September 2. Where fires occur, fire behaviour is likely to be influenced by light windspeeds in the 5-10 km/h range. Higher wind speeds may be experienced at times in Southern coastal areas and may affect fire behaviour.”
The public is reminded:
- Do not cause or light fires in and around forests or open land
- Dispose of smoking materials responsibly
- Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires
- Gather everybody and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of fire
- Call 999 or 112 to report a fire
The warning, published on Friday morning read: “Arising from current weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist.
“A high-pressure ridge will influence light airflows and low daytime humidity and light windspeeds during the remainder of this week ahead of a rain front arrival at the weekend.
“Seasonal restrictions on controlled burning in land management ceased effect today on Thursday, September 1st. Landowners wishing to conduct controlled burning are reminded to adhere to relevant guidance and to notify regional control centres at the time of burning, and again when fires are fully extinguished.
“Members of the public intending to visit forests and other recreational sites are reminded to adhere to regulations regarding fire use. Forest visitors should not use barbeques or open fires at any stage. Vehicles must not be parked at site entrances or impede emergency service access to forest roads.”
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