Minister expresses concern about the risk of wild fires

File photo of fire burning in a field
File photo of fire burning in a field

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has expressed concerns about the risk of fires starting and spreading around the country.

In response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD, Rose Conway - Walsh about wildfires in Achill, Co. Mayo, Minister Heydon said he understands the worry expressed by farmers about the risk to flora, fauna, homes, and farms from the spread of fires.

Earlier this month (May 7), farmers and residents on Achill Island demanded “immediate and coordinated action” from authorities after a sharp increase in dangerous roadside fires.

The Achill IFA Commonage Fire Watch Team, which has been active since 2023, has recorded 12 wildfires in the area over the past three years, with three already reported in 2025 alone.

Several of these fires came within metres of homes, posing a grave threat to lives, livelihoods, and biodiversity.

The most severe blaze occurred in 2023, when thousands of acres of grazing land, vital habitats, and rare flora and fauna were destroyed.

Minister Heydon said: "This is indeed a worrying trend and can affect payments to farmers as land burnt in the closed season is ineligible for payment.

"This of course is on top of the huge damage that can be caused to livelihoods, homes, businesses, the environment, wildlife, biodiversity and plant life."

"My department stands ready to assist in this matter, and continues to issue fire warnings publicly, and also through targets communications to farm advisors" the minister added.

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According to the minister, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) continues to issue warnings publicly, and also through targeted communcations to farm advisor.

DAFM also has an appeal mechanism in place through force majeure where farmers can submit evidence that they were not responsible for starting the fire, and thus can receive payments on the affected lands.

"Wildfires are very dangerous, and present a significant risk where they occur. I would ask all members of the public, including visitors to the countryside to be very mindful of the risks of carelessness with materials that could cause fires," Minister Heydon added.

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