Coillte to assist gardaí investigating West Roscommon wildfire
When the wildire was at its peak, it could be seen for miles.
Coillte said it will assist gardaí who are working to establish the cause of the wildfire in West Roscommon that has devastated hundreds of acres of forestry and boglands.
A spokesperson for the state-owned commercial forestry business said the fire has damaged both Coillte and privately owned forests in the area.
The Coillte spokesperson said that forest fires and wildfires do not start from natural causes in Ireland and “arise from man-made sources of ignition”.
Coillte is asking landowners and managers to remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to gardaí.
“The ramifications of forest fires are far reaching and severe. Not only do they jeopardise public safety and the lives of the emergency services and those working in forestry, they cause considerable damage to habitats and wildlife.
“Forest fires also exact a heavy financial toll on forest owners, regarding the loss of timber value and the costs associated with restoring and replanting the burnt forest,” said the spokesperson.
Members of the public are reminded of the following actions to prevent and deal with wildfires:
1. Do not light fires in and around forests or on open land. It is illegal to burn land after March 1st each year.
2. If you are visiting a forest, do not set open fires or use barbeques.
3. Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires; instead, contact the Emergency Services on 112 to immediately report the wildfire.
Meanwhile, more startling images of the raging wildfire, which broke out on Sunday afternoon in Gorthaganny and surrounding areas, have also emerged.
The images were sent to the Herald from a local person who witnessed the fire very close to the their home in Gorthaganny.
