Over the month of June Ireland was one of the driest period across Ireland in 70 years with drought conditions now been felt across the country. Over the past two to 3 week some areas have seen little to no rain with other only seen some drizzle for a time which is in no way enough to help growth and take water levels back up to safe levels in reservoirs.

Over the past two week gorse fires have also broke out and got out of control due to the dry weather and high temperatures which is set to continue for another 10 days or more.

RTE NEWS report that firefighters battle a major gorse fire on the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Laois and Offaly  

Laois and Offaly firefighters have been battling the blaze with the help of staff from Coillte since yesterday. The Air Corps has also been deployed to the area.

Around 300,000 litres of water has been dropped on the affected area using AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters equipped with 'Bambi' buckets to scoop water from nearby lakes.

The Mountrath to Kinnitty road is closed and members of the public are being urged to avoid the area.

Coillte has said that it is fighting a number of fires nationwide, and it urged the public to be extra vigilant towards the dangers of wildfires.

Below you can see the images I have took from the Modis Satellite on the 24th of June and and the 3 of July 2018 which shows drought conditions worse over the south and east of Ireland but spreading quickly to all areas. This can be seen has the green environment turns brown in the space of a week with no rainfall to help with growth.

 Continues below

NATIONWIDE HOSE PIPE BAN NOW IN PLACE FOR IRELAND

Irish Water has announced a nationwide hosepipe ban will come into effect from 8am on Friday 6th July 2018 and will remain in place until midnight on 31st July 2018 as a drought continues across the country.

What is prohibited during the hosepipe ban?

• Watering a garden
• Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a domestic hosepipe.
• Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe.
• Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (except when using hand-held containers filled directly from a tap).
• Filling or maintaining a domestic pond (excluding fish ponds) using a hosepipe.
• Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (with the exception of such use for commercial purposes).
• Use of water for filling or replenishing an artificial pond (excluding fish ponds), lake or similar application.

Anyone caught will be get €120 fine.

FIRE WARNING

The department of agriculture currently have a RED WARNING for fires in place arising from current prolonged high pressure weather patterns, high temperatures and effective drought conditions, an extreme fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels exist. This risk is further compounded by higher ignitions risks associated with increased human activity on high fire risk land types associated with current weather.

DAFM advise at this point that all outdoor use of fires, barbeques and other open ignition sources be avoided on forest lands and in other high risk areas until further notice. Extreme caution is again advised with respect to hay making and the use of machinery and other agricultural activity that may also present a risk of fire in dry vegetation in current conditions. There appears to be a strong correlation between fire activity and illegal dumping and other illegal activities on public lands in recent days and an increased vigilance by land managers and landowners is advised. Pending a significant change in meteorological conditions this risk condition will remain in place until 1200hrs on Friday, July 6th, 2018, and will be reviewed again at that point.

Advisory

Under extreme Fire Risk Conditions any ignition source in hazardous fuels may give rise to rapid and unpredictable wildfire development and spread, particularly in dead grasses, and in shrub fuels like gorse and heather. Under these conditions, upland fires can be expected to cover extensive areas and pose extreme difficulties to suppression efforts and may potentially give rise to Major Emergency scenarios. The issue of Condition Red Extreme fire risk warnings is a comparatively rare event and implies that recipients should take immediate action to protect resources and property. Such action may involve the mobilization, assembly and propositioning of resources such as water tankers, machinery, personnel and air support in high risk areas. Contracted Air Support should now be notified for immediate readiness when required. Preliminary notification of Aid to Civil Power / Aid to Civil Authority requests by relevant authorities may also be warranted where extreme conditions are deemed likely to exist, and where emergency response requirements may be likely to exceed the capabilities of Civil Authorities. Forest owners / managers, other land managers, landowners and local authorities should implement fire patrols to exclude all fire activity from the landscape and enforce relevant fire protection legislation for the duration of this notice. Rural residents should also implement a high degree of vigilance, and check on elderly or other vulnerable neighbours and assist with preparation and reassurance, and evacuation if this is deemed necessary by the Local Authorities.

Advice to the General Public/Forest Visitors Members of the public and visitors to recreational areas should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles. Where fire outbreaks occur at or near recreational areas the following actions should be taken by visitors in the interests of safety. 1. Do not light fires in and around forests or open land. 2. Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances. 3. Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire. 4. Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location. 5. Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service Instructions.

Further information on fire management and wildfire protection is available at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/firemanagement/

BE PREPARED. BE VIGILANT. STAMP OUT FOREST FIRES.

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