Sir, – Your article on wildfires (“Life in Ireland’s wildfire zones: ‘I’ll never forget that evening on Slievenamon for the rest of my life’,” August 22nd), was a timely reminder of the increasing threat of fires and the need for appropriate responses.
The Irish Uplands Forum was set up in 1995 to support the sustainable management of hills and mountains throughout the island of Ireland. These uplands are immensely important sources of clean water supplies, as well as for farming and forestry.
Upland habitats support biodiversity and carbon storage, and are important sites of recreation for health and tourism. Unfortunately, they are regularly subject to wildfires, as evidenced at Slievenamon, Comeragh, Mourne and the Wicklow Mountains, respectively, this summer.
Despite strategic commitments, the forum is concerned at the apparent lack of official action to manage the threat of wildfire in Ireland. The Draft National Nature Restoration Plan references the threats to terrestrial ecosystems created by wildfire in upland and forestry settings. The National Biodiversity Action Plan has an objective to develop a fire management strategy by 2030, addressing key issues in relation to fire management and emerging wildfire issues in Ireland.
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Is there any evidence that this work has commenced? Given the regularity with which wildfires are occurring in our uplands due to climate change, we believe wildfire risk management strategies should be prioritised to examine ways of reducing fuel loads and improving responses of official agencies. This should include working with farmers and local communities, following best international practice. – Yours, etc,
DR MARY TUBRIDY,
Research officer,
Irish Uplands Forum,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3
