The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued a forest fire danger rating of condition red - extreme fire risk.

The notice was issued by DAFM at 3:00p.m yesterday (July 10), and the alert will remain in effect until 12:00p.m Monday (July 14).

DAFM said: "Arising from current weather patterns, an extreme fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist."

Current hot and dry weather conditions are forecast to remain in place over the weekend with greatly increased forest fire risks expected as a result.

According to DAFM, fire behaviour and spread rates will be moderated by live growth in upland vegetation but will be increasingly influenced by high temperatures, low humidity levels <50%, and variable light to moderate windspeeds during the span of this notice.

Windspeeds may exceed 25km/h in some areas over the weekend.

Forest fire risk is likely to be increased by expected high levels of public and visitor activity in fire-prone areas during the weekend.

DAFM stresses that high vigilance is needed in areas with intensive public access and recreational use.

Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements, and are requested not to light open fires or barbeques in forest areas.

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

DAFM ask visitors to forests and other recreational sites to "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".

Minster of State at DAFM, Michael Healy-Rae said: “The current weather gives people a great opportunity to enjoy our forests, National Parks, beaches and beauty spots at their best.

"Be mindful of how you park and report fires immediately to emergency services via 112.”

The Department advises that where a fire breaks out, at, or near recreational areas the following actions should be taken by visitors in the interests of safety:

Do not cause or light fires in and around forests or open land;
Dispose of smoking materials responsibly;
Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances;
Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire;
Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location.

Separately, Met Éireann have issued two Status Yellow weather warnings for high temperatures across the country over the coming days.

The first weather warning will come into affect from 12:00p.m today (July 11) until 6:00a.m Saturday (July 12), and will impact counties Carlow, Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, and Westmeath.

The second warning is valid from 12:00p.m Saturday (July 12) until 6:00a.m Sunday (July 13), and will effect the whole country.

Daytime temperatures in excess of 27°C are expected, combined with night-time minimum temperatures in excess of 15°C, for the duration of both warnings.

Potential Impacts include the following:

Water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches;
Possible forest fires;
Uncomfortable sleeping conditions;
Heat stress.