Gorse fires in Clare as national fire risk warning issued

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service attended a large gorse fire in the west of the county on Wednesday evening, which was captured by drone from the air.

The incident occurred as a Status Orange ‘High’ Forest Fire Risk Warning remains in place nationally until midday on Friday.

Clare FM reported that local authority crews from Kilrush and Kilkee have responded to a number of fires in the Moanmore and Shragh areas of West Clare.

Clare Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly told the radio station that household rubbish dumped in the area may have contributed to the spread of fire.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has requested landowners and the public to avoid all outdoor fires and other open ignition sources.

The Department said, “Current easterly high-pressure dominated weather will induce moderate to fresh south easterly winds across Ireland in coming days.”

“While some areas may receive isolated rain showers during this time, most areas can be expected to see dry weather, light to moderate winds, and strongly elevated fire risks in areas with fire-prone upland vegetation types,” added the Department.

Members of the public and visitors to forests and other recreational areas are also being asked by Coillte to cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant byelaws and should not use barbeques or other outdoor fire sources in amenity areas.

Widespread rainfall during Friday will mark the end of what has been an exceptionally dry period of weather across Ireland.

Parts of the south have not recorded any measurable rainfall in 10 days.