Fire warning plea from forestry department

A red alert for fires was issued by the forest department during the August 15 holiday weekend, urging extreme caution from the public in their outdoor activities.

The department highlighted that agricultural burning, a method farmers use to clear their fields, or starting fires without a relevant licence are prohibited.

Lighting a fire to prepare food is allowed only in the assigned barbecue places of the designated picnic areas, it said.

The forestry department warned that many fires were caused by throwing cigarette butts on the ground.

The fine for those who start a fire without a licence amounts to up to 10 years in prison or €50,000 or both sentences combined according to the forest law of 2012, and up to five years in jail or €20,000 according to the Prevention of Fires in the Rural Areas Act 1988.

Anyone who spots smoke or fire in or near the forest should contact 1407 (Forest Department) or 112 (Fire Department).