asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether adequate and very necessary precautions are taken and warnings given to protect State forests and plantations from damage by fire during the summer and autumn months, with particular reference to the danger from fires lit by visitors in the vicinity of forestry centres and bogland, and whether he will outline the measures in force at the moment.
Written Answer. - Protection of State Forests from Fire.
The following precautions are taken for the protection of State forests from damage by fire:—
(a) warning notices are posted in prominent places on forest boundaries;
(b) warning notices are published occasionally in local and Sunday newspapers;
(c) warnings are relayed occasionally by Radio Éireann, and
(d) fire-watchers are specially appointed to patrol forest boundaries during spells of dry weather.
Persons who disregard the warning notices are prosecuted if the circumstances justify such action; otherwise they are cautioned.
Many forest fires are caused by the burning of furze and heather near forests. Under Section 61 of the Forestry Act, 1946, it is an offence to set fire to any vegetation within one mile of a wood unless seven days' prior notice in writing is given to the owner of the wood and to the local Garda sergeant. Serious notice is taken of breaches of this section and prosecutions are brought wherever possible. Danger of damage by fire is always a matter of serious concern to the forestry division and every precaution that is possible is taken to protect the forests. The best of all safeguards is the exercise of due and sensible care on the part of the public. Without their co-operation I fear it is humanly impossible to prevent fire damage.