Yellow weather warning issued for Friday

The met office on Friday issued a yellow weather warning for extreme high temperatures.

The warning will be in effect between 11am and 4pm, with temperatures set to rise to a maximum of 42 degrees Celsius inland, and 32 degrees Celsius in the mountains.

At the same time, the forestry department has set the level of risk of forest fires at the “red alert” level.

With this in mind, they added, the act of lighting a fire without a permit is punishable with a maximum of ten years in prison, a €50,000 fine, or both.

Fires are only permitted in the specific barbecue areas at picnic sites.

The forestry department also warned people to be “especially careful” to avoid “actions and activities which would likely cause a fire”, including the use of agricultural machinery and welding tools.

Those who notice smoke or fire are encouraged to call the forestry department on 1407 or the fire brigade on 112 immediately.