The need for major road signage warning of the dangers of discarding a cigarette from a vehicle and a greater awareness by the public of the potential dangers of gorse fires are just two of the measures needed to address the frequency of gorse fires along the roadsides on Achill Island.
That’s the view of many farmers and residents on the island who are demanding immediate and coordinated action from local and national authorities after a sharp rise in roadside fires, many of which are believed to be caused by discarded cigarette butts.
The Achill IFA Commonage Fire Watch Team, active since 2023, has recorded 12 wildfires in the area over the past three years, with three already reported this year. Several of these fires came within metres of homes, posing a serious threat to lives, livelihoods, farm payments and biodiversity.
Without intervention, James Kilbane of the Achill IFA Commonage fire team warns that it is only a matter of time before a fire causes a catastrophic loss of property or worse locally. He’s been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa OI’Malley….
