The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has extended the condition orange danger rating for fire risk - indicating high fire risk - by one week.

A previous condition orange alert expired today (Monday, April 7) at 12:00p.m, with the new alert coming into effect immediately from that point.

The new alert will remain in place until 12:00p.m next Monday (April 14).

A high fire risk arising from current weather patterns is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels, such as dead grasses and shrub fuels, exist.

Current easterly high-pressure dominated weather, and dry conditions, are forecast tocontinue over coming days ahead of an expected change in conditions later in the week.

Elevated fire risks are expected to remain in all areas pending this change. Fire behaviour and spread rates will be strongly influenced by increasingly dry fuel conditions, low humidity levels and light to moderate windspeeds. Windspeeds may exceed 20kph in some areas at times.

The department said recent fire activity appears to be focused on areas associated with active turf cutting and public access, and that additional vigilance is warranted in areas with these activities are present.

With continued fine weather and school holidays beginning, higher levels of visitor activity are expected in the countryside. Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbeques in high-risk areas.

Landowners and managers should remain vigilant and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána.

Recreational users of rural areas should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws, and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.

All forest owners and managers are again advised to prepare for outbreaks of fire.

Fire lines, fire plans, and fire suppression equipment should be reviewed and made ready, and other relevant contingencies - such as insurance, helicopter contracts, etc, - checked and confirmed.

Forest owners, farmers, rural dwellers, and other countryside users are asked to be extremely vigilant regarding fire activity, and to report any suspicious or illegal activity to the gardaí and to report all fires immediately to the fire and emergency Services via 112/999.

The department recommends that forest owners and managers should consider the fire mitigation measures that they can put in place to help prevent loss or damage to forest resources through fire.

Owners are advised to assess property with regard to fire risk and mitigation factors, by addressing the following questions:

Is there a risk factor of fire or presence of hazardous fuel vegetation on neighbouring lands?
Is there a history of land burning in the vicinity of your forest?
Are access routes adequate, accessible, and clear of obstructions?
Is there a firebreak in place and has it been adequately maintained?

Fire plans should be developed for all forests, including a map showing access routes and assembly points for firefighting personnel and equipment and potential sources of water.

The plan should also include contact details for the emergency services; local private, and Coillte foresters; and neighbouring landowners and forest owners; in order to summon help should the need arise.

Clear tracks and roads if available, and ensure forest entrances and access routes are not blocked by parked vehicles or other obstacles, especially where visitors or recreational users may be present. Suitable signage to this effect should be displayed on gates or barriers.

Existing firebreaks should be maintained by screefing or removing vegetation mechanically by excavator so that the soil is bare.

Fire breaks should be at least 6m wide and should be maintained clear of flammable vegetation throughout the lifecycle of the plantation.

Forest owners should be particularly vigilant during high risk periods. Fire patrols may be warranted in known fire hotspots. Be particularly vigilant at Bank Holiday weekends where high risk weather is forecast.

The department said cooperation between neighbouring landowners is critical to successful prevention. Forest owners should discuss their concerns about fire with neighbouring landowners in advance of the fire season.

Providing assistance to farmers wishing to carry out legal prescribed burning earlier in the season is a useful way of developing good working relationships with neighbours, as well as ensuring that operations are conducted safely during lower risk conditions.

Forest owners should cooperate with fire planning and share the burden of patrols and vigilance during high risk periods.

It is an offence to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated between March 1 and August 31 in any year.

Suspicious or illegal activity should be reported to Gardaí immediately. Landowners found burning illegally could face fines, imprisonment and single farm payment penalties, where applicable.

If your forest is damaged or destroyed, report this loss as soon as possible to your local garda station and to the department.