Satellite technology deployed to detect land burning

Satellite technology is being deployed to detect fire hotspots as landowners are warned they will be ineligible for schemes if burning in closed season.

The Department of Agriculture has issued a warning to landowners and the public over wildfires.

As the weather improves, the Department warned farmers, forest owners, forest managers and members of the public that an inherent risk of fire exists during spring months on certain types of land, particularly in upland areas.

It also warned the general public that a number of major wildfires have occurred in recent years which destroyed or damaged property, including farmland and forests.

“It should be noted that, following dry weather patterns, a wildfire risk can quickly develop in all areas where flammable vegetation such as grasses, gorse and heather are present, especially in proximity to forests and other assets.  Land owners, rural dwellers and other land users are asked to maintain a high degree of vigilance regarding fire over the coming months,” the Department said.

It has urged all forest owners and forest managers to check their fire plans and to ensure that fire-breaks are clear of flammable vegetation and forest access routes are clear of obstructions.

Land owners are warned that it is illegal, under the Wildlife Acts, to burn growing vegetation on uncultivated land between March 1 and August 31 and anyone engaged in such illegal activity are liable to prosecution, the Department stated.

It said “land found to have been burned during the specified closed season for burning would be considered automatically ineligible under the various support schemes, and that a variety of detection systems, including satellite based systems, were now in place to detect fire hotspots and trigger more detailed eligibility inspections where required.”

Suspicious activity should be reported to the Gardaí and uncontrolled or unattended fires should be reported immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services. Forest owners must be especially vigilant in protecting their investments, the Department concluded.