Demand for action on dangerous Mayo wildfires
The scene of a recent fire at the Claggan coastal path.
Farmers and residents on Achill Island are demanding “immediate and coordinated action” following a spate of recent wildfires.
The Achill IFA Commonage Fire Watch Team, which has been active since 2023, has recorded 12 wildfires in the area over the past three years, with three already reported in 2025 alone.
Several of these fires came within metres of homes, posing a grave threat to lives, livelihoods, and biodiversity.
The most severe blaze occurred in 2023, when thousands of acres of grazing land, vital habitats, and rare flora and fauna were destroyed.
The group believes that evidence for the cause of the fires pointed to roadside ignition, particularly from cigarette butts discarded from passing vehicles.
“We’re not just losing farmland – these fires are putting entire villages at risk. These fires are avoidable, ” a spokesperson for the Achill IFA Commonage Fire Watch Team said.
Monitoring carried out by the team has identified a consistent pattern; the majority of fires are igniting along the main road between Mulranny and Bunnacurry on Achill Island, most often from midday through to the evening, regardless of whether the day is sunny or dull.
The group have appealed to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Mayo County Council, DAFM and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to erect signs on “high-risk roads”.
"If this was happening near Dublin or Galway, it would have been addressed long ago. We’re demanding the same level of respect, protection, and responsibility for Achill Island and its people,” the team said.
