Large gorse fire breaks out in South Kerry

Kerry Fire and Rescue Service responded to a large gorse fire in the south of the county on Monday night.

The blaze broke out close to the N70 between Sneem and Kenmare on the Iveragh Peninsula.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area due to poor visibility as the Fire Service attempted to extinguish the fire.

The incident comes just three weeks after another gorse fire in the nearby Caherdaniel area.

The Fire Service also responded to a large fire on Kerry Head on Saturday evening.

Images of Monday night’s fire were posted to x.

Meanwhile, a nationwide Status Orange ‘High’ Forest Fire Risk Warning has been extended until next Monday.

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 and dry weather conditions are forecast to continue over coming days ahead of an expected change in conditions later in the week. Elevated fire risks are expected to remain in all areas pending this change.”

“Fire behaviour and spread rates will be strongly influenced by increasingly dry fuel conditions, low humidity levels and light to moderate windspeeds. Windspeeds may exceed 20km/h in some areas at times,” it added.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is also urging the public to remain alert to fire hazards.

Between Thursday and Saturday, NIFRS logged 741 calls to its Regional Control Centre, with 146 concerning gorse fires.

It is illegal to burn under the Wildlife Acts between March 1st and August 31st.