Gorse fires impacting resources

Landowners have been urged to act responsibly in controlling their vegetation with a reminder that it’s illegal to burn it until September. 

It comes as Cork County Council’s fire services continue to respond to gorse fire call outs in the middle of the current Covid-19 pandemic with these fires having an impact on resources.

Mayor of Cork Cllr Ian Doyle said: “Now, more than ever, we need to consider how our actions affect our own wellbeing, that of the community, and the nation. This pandemic has revealed just how connected we are and it is essential that we all do our part to protect the public health.”

He said the lives of property owners, people on the land and front line emergency personnel, who are already under pressure, are endangered by illegal fires. “Everyone in our community needs to be mindful of how their actions can affect the lives of others. Now is the time for solidarity and observance of the law and of guidelines set out by the HSE. We all need to do everything we can to allow our emergency services to respond to the situation at hand,” he added.