Fire warning issued in Laois amid soaring hot temperatures

An orange warning has been issued for high fire risk in Laois

Published 14th Jul 2026, 12:55 BST Laois County Fire & Rescue Service have issued a warning for fire risks as the county is placed under another weather warning. An orange warning has been issued for high fire risk in Laois Sign up to our Laois Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Laois Live within your account.

Laois County Fire & Rescue Service has issued a status orange warning for high fire risk as the heatwave continues to bake the county.

Met Éireann has issued another yellow warning for high temperatures in Laois, with temperatures exceeding 27 degrees.

The warning also includes Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Munster and Connacht.

The warning is valid from 12pm on Wednesday, July 15 to 6am on Friday, July 17.

With persistent high temperatures, Laois County Fire & Rescue Service has issued an orange warning for a high risk of fire in Laois which will remain in effect until midday on Friday, July 17.

The fire service has said: “Arising from continued high temperature weather patterns, high 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 dry conditions are forecast to continue with further high temperature phases throughout the span of this notice.

“Elevated fire risks are expected in all areas during this period but will be especially focused on eastern regions. With soil moisture deficits increasing there is an added risk of underground peat fires on bogs where fires occur and an increased availability of larger fuel types across all land types. Fire behaviour may also be adversely affected by light to moderate easterly winds during the span of this notice.”

They warned people to remain vigilant of any risk of fire and to report any suspicious activity.

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“Continued vigilance to fire is warranted in areas with open public access and high fire risk activities. Landowners and managers should remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana. Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbecues in high-risk areas.

“Rural users should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant byelaws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as to not impede access by emergency vehicles.”

A warning has also been issued in relation to taking care of animals during the hot weather.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has advised farmers and pet owners to take extra steps to ensure animal welfare is protected during the heatwave.

Minister Heydon said: “The current high temperatures affecting Ireland can pose a risk to both pets and livestock. It is important that farmers, horse and pet owners take steps to protect their animals during high temperatures to avoid serious health and welfare problems arising due to the heat.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins TD, also called for vigilance for possible outbreaks of fires: “I am calling on all forest owners, farmers, rural dwellers and other countryside users to be extremely vigilant regarding fire activity, to report any suspicious or illegal activity to the Gardai and to report all fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999.”

Key ways to reduce the impact of high temperatures on farm animals and horses include ensuring a plentiful supply of drinking water, access to shade or shelter, minimising handling and transport, monitoring the temperature of accommodation for animals such as pigs and poultry, as well as monitoring livestock for health issues.