Firefighters battle gorse blaze at Ticknock Park

Crews from Dublin Fire Brigade are continuing to battle a gorse fire at Ticknock Park in Cherrywood, south Dublin, this afternoon.

The fire broke out on Tuesday night, sending a plume of smoke over much of south Co Dublin. Videos posted on X (formerly Twitter) in the past 24 hours showed thick smoke drifting across the area, visible from the nearby M50.

Firefighters from Dún Laoghaire and Donnybrook stations were dispatched to the scene on Wednesday and later joined by units from Rathfarnham and Tallaght. In total, four fire engines and about 20 firefighters were involved, supported by a water tanker, wildland hoses, backpack sprayers, foam tenders and hand tools.

Dublin Fire Brigade said crews worked through the night and into Wednesday morning, and remain at the scene. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Under Irish law, the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of vegetation on uncultivated land is prohibited between March 1st and August 31st each year.

“Wildfires can destroy land, threaten homes and tie up huge firefighting resources,” the fire service said. “They’re more likely during fine weather when people flock to Dublin’s parks, mountains and coasts.”

Its advice to the public in the event of a wildfire is: “Don’t fight it yourself. Move to safety. Call 112 or 999 immediately and give a clear location.”