The Forestry Department has issued a ‘red alert’ for the weekend warning of a particularly high risk of forest fires because of the heat wave.
The Met Office has forecast temperatures inland tomorrow will climb over 40 C — well above the seasonal average — remaining at the same levels on Sunday and Monday.
“Besides the increased risk of a fire breaking out and spreading as a result of the heat wave and the considerable vegetation everywhere because of the blessed bountiful rains, services also have to deal with the problems as regards programming and organisation because of the Coivid-19 pandemic,” it said.
It appealed to the public to be particularly careful in its daily activities in the countryside and during visits to forests so as not to cause any fires from careless actions.
It stressed that the burning of grass, branches and rubbish is prohibited while the use of outdoor tools or agricultural machinery which produce heat, sparks of flames such as welding should be avoided.
Anyone who spots smoke or a fire should immediately telephone 1407 (Forestry Department) or 112 (fire service).
