A lot of public and private land was destroyed in Mayo last March and April due to bog and forest fires.
This week the IFA urged farmers to be vigilant and adhere to the March deadline for burning land and hedges.
Last April in Belmullet a section of road between Belmullet and Bangor Erris had to be closed as local emergency services struggled to bring a forest bog under control. The fire raged for four days, before finally being brought under control. In the same month, nine of the county’s fire services struggled to deal with bog and forest fires, mainly in the south and east of the county.
IFA farm forestry chairman Pat Hennessy has urged farmers to adhere to the restrictions on the cutting, burning, or destruction of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges during the nesting and breeding season from March 1 to August 31.
“Although there are some exemptions to the restrictions for works carried out during the normal course of agriculture and forestry, we are asking farmers to be extra vigilant,” he said. “2010 was the worst year in recorded history for forest fires. Over 2,000 hectares of forests were destroyed, of which approximately 1,000 hectares were privately owned.
“The forest fires resulted in a significant financial loss for many farmers who did not have forest insurance,” Mr Hennessy added. “They incurred the loss of the value of the timber, but also the cost of replanting the forest without a grant, which is significantly higher after a forest fire.”
The IFA has joined forces with FBD to develop the timber growing insurance policy that covers the fire brigade call out charges, loss of timber and replanting cost. It has also been extended to cover fire brigade call out charges for a fire in the vicinity of a forest that may threaten neighbouring plantations.
Along with the IFA plea, An Garda Síochána launched an appeal to reduce forest fires in 2011. The appeal outlines the dangers of forest fires and the legal implications if the regulations are not followed.
Under certain circumstances, and based mainly on tradition, the burning of land to clear scrub and other unwanted vegetation has become an accepted practice. Members of the community should make themselves aware of the necessary precautions relating to controlled burning by contacting the local fire services and gardaí. Legislation controlling the burning of land and vegetation exists under Section 39 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment ) Act, 2000.
An Garda Síochána along with Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for reducing the number of land and forest fires. As part of this multi-agency approach, An Garda Síochána has appointed Garda inspectors in each Garda division to help with the prevention and detection of forest fires.
