Residents of Cherrywood have launched a petition calling on authorities to urgently address toxic smoke in the area due to fires in the area surrounding Ticknick park.
People living in the area have been repeatedly exposed to hazardous smoke from the fires, the petition warns, adding that vulnerable members of the community such as older people and children are at a higher risk.
The petition, which has already racked up 276 signatures, claims that current monitoring stations “do not reflect the true conditions” residents are living in.
Angelika Korelc, who started the petition, said: “Despite keeping windows closed, smoke particles continue to seep indoors, exposing families and children to dangerous air inside their own homes.
“Public authorities to date have refused to admit the public health risk or accountability for developing a long-term solution, as this is private land and is a responsibility of the individual owner.
“We demand urgent action from authorities to stop the fires, protect our health and community, and prevent this from happening again.”
Patrick Kelleher, Campaigner at Uplift, said: “We all deserve to be able to breathe clean air and to know that us and our children are safe in our homes, but these wildfires and toxic smoke are making the air unsafe, unclean and disgusting to breathe in and putting people’s health at risk.
“Angelika is urging this government, in particular the Health and Climate ministers, to take urgent action to resolve this situation and to ensure that the people in the Cherrywood area have the clean air they deserve.
“We hope they will heed this community’s call.”