Orange fire warning issued as temperatures are forecasted to rise

An orange fire warning has been put in place across the country.

The Department of Agriculture has warned that the current spell of warm weather means means there's a high risk of fire in some areas. Anywhere where "hazardous fuels" like gorse, heather, dried grasses and other dead vegetation has the potential to light up, the department said in a statement. The west of the country is most likely to be at risk due to low levels of humidity this week. The warning will be in place until 12pm this Friday 17 May "pending significant rainfall", it said. It comes as Met Éireann says that we can expect the good weather to continue this week. Temperatures reached 20 degrees today and could hit 21 tomorrow, the national forecaster has predicted.

"Tuesday, will be another dry, warm day, with spells of hazy sunshine," it said. "Top temperatures 17 to 21 C, generally, best in western areas, but values in the mid teens on parts of the east and south coasts. Moderate southeasterly winds will be fresh on some coasts."

Wednesday is set to be a little cloudier but will still be warm, with top temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees expected. It will be warmest in the midlands and north-west of the country. Thursday will be much the same, though there may be more cloud and possibly even some isolated showers. Again, temperatures could reach up to 20 degrees. Friday will start off dry, according to Met Éireann. Showers are forecast to start in the south and east and spread westward in the afternoon. It will noticeably cooler, with highest temperatures ranging from 12 to 17 degrees across the country. Hay fever sufferers should make sure to be prepared when leaving the house over the next few days as the pollen count is set to be high today and tomorrow.