Fire fighters are still on the scene at a Mountmellick bog fire at Garrymore which began on Saturday and spread over a number of square kilometres.
Fire fighters from Mountmellick and Portarlington were on the scene from when the fire was first reported on Saturday and had to deal with a number of outbreaks of the fire in different areas up to today (Monday).
“It was a pretty big one and spread over a couple of square kilometres,” said fire officer Anthony Tynan.
Due to the current weather conditions, it is vitally important that extra care is taken in relation to fires, Mr Tynan said.
“Conditions are pretty bad as regards the outbreak of such fires. Any source of ignition is likely to cause a fire so we are asking people to be extra careful,” Mr Tynan.
No fires should be lit during such weather conditions with a ‘Condition Red Extreme Fire Risk Warning’ remaining in place.
A Condition Red Warning warns: “Under extreme Fire Risk Conditions any ignition source in hazardous fuels will give rise to rapid and unpredictable wildfire development and spread.
“Under these conditions, in upland situations fire can be expected to cover extensive areas and pose extreme difficulties to suppression efforts and may potentially likely give rise to Major Emergency scenarios”.
Local firefighters also had to battle a fire at a bog and forest in Kilbricken over the weekend, which was on a smaller scale to the one in Mountmellick.
Caution
Anyone walking on lands is reminded to use extra caution when putting out cigarettes. With high temperatures and winds, conditions are perfect for fires to spread rapidly.
Landowners have been reminded not to light fires on their land at this time.
Just last week up to 12 Laois firefighters were required to deal with a bog fire at Togher, on the outskirts of Portlaoise.
