Fire crews have been called out to several extensive gorse fires in recent days in the Mount Leinster area.

Last night (Friday, April 24), Carlow Fire and Rescue Service were tasked after members of the public called emergency services to report large fires in the Nine Stones area of Mount Leinster.

"The Bagenalstown station and crew were mobilised and had to carry out firefighting activities safely to control the spread of the fire," a Carlow Fire and Rescue spokesperson said.

On Thursday night, crews from Bagenalstown Fire Station were also mobilised in response to fires in the Raheendarragh area on Mount Leinster.

Fire crews also battled gorse fires at Mount Melleray Hill in Co. Waterford and in the Cullintra area of Co. Kilkenny in recent days.

Gorse fires

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued a Condition Orange warning, indicating high fire risk for vegetation.

The warning is currently due to remain in place until midday of next Monday (April 27).

The department said that the warning is arising from current and forecast weather patterns.

A high fire risk is currently deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses, and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse, exist.

The public and land owners are being urged to remain vigilant and not to light any fires or use barbeques in rural areas where there is dry vegetation and extinguish smoking materials responsibly.

They warned that "fires can spread very quickly due to the land being so dry and with winds particularly in the evening aiding fast spread across large areas of land".

"These fires damage habitats, local wildlife and draw our emergency services out of our urban areas to deal with them," the spokesperson added.

Burning

Under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, burning vegetation on uncultivated land from March 1 to August 31 is illegal.

Carlow Fire and Rescue Service said that any burning should be reported to the the gardaí and fire services by calling 999 or 112.

Coillte has also warned landowners to avoid all outdoor fires and obey restrictions in place on land burning as temperatures climb across the country.

Met Éireann has said that "high pressure" is expected to dominate the weather for the coming week and in turn rainfall amounts are likely to be "significantly below average".