Latest news with #gorsefire
BreakingNews.ie
19-05-2025
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
Extensive Gorey gorse fire brought under control
A major gorse fire which broke out in Co Wexford on Sunday afternoon has been brought under control almost 24 hours after it first started. The blaze broke out on Tara Hill in Gorey at around 3.45pm, with seven units from Wexford and Wicklow Fire Services battling the blaze overnight along with gardaí, local farmers and Coillte officials in a bid bring it under control. Advertisement Wexford County Council fire service also ensured that several water tankers were available. Water has also been drawn from the river Ahare. The blaze initially seemed under control but intensified overnight due to nearby sea breezes. Dry weather conditions are making it easier for the fire to spread. Malcolm Byrne, North Wexford TD said the blaze is 'deeply worrying'. Advertisement A helicopter flew over the extensive scene at 12.40pm on Monday and dispersed water helping to reducing the fire keeping flames away from properties in the vicinity. The multi-agency operation is continuing but is now a dampening down operation and fire units remain at the scene. The Council continues to monitor air quality and are advising residents and businesses to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution. A drone is also being used to watch over any threat of another fire igniting. There is already a significant impact to wildlife and the environment in the area. As a result of no significant rainfall in the past month, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is warning that there is a high fire risk or status orange alert. The orange warning has been in effect since 3pm last Friday and will last until midday on Tuesday. According to the Department, current weather patterns indicate a high fire risk 'in all areas' where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist.
BreakingNews.ie
19-05-2025
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
Major gorse fire continuing to burn in Co Wexford
A major gorse fire which broke out in Co Wexford continues to burn on Monday morning. The blaze broke out on Tara Hill in Gorey at around 2pm on Sunday. Advertisement Seven units from Wexford and Wicklow Fire Services have been battling the blaze overnight along with gardaí and local farmers to bring it under control. Wexford County Council's fire service has also ensured that several water tankers. Water has also been drawn from the river Ahare. The blaze initially seemed under control, but it intensified overnight due to nearby sea breezes. Dry weather conditions are making it easier for the fire to spread. Malcolm Byrne, North Wexford TD said the blaze is 'deeply worrying'. An assessment is expected to be made on Monday on whether helicopter assistance is needed. There is already a significant impact to wildlife and the environment in the area. As a result of no significant rainfall in the past month, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is warning that there is a high fire risk or status orange alert. The orange warning has been in effect since 3 pm last Friday and will last until midday on Tuesday. According to the Department, current weather patterns indicate a high fire risk 'in all areas' where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Clogher: Firefighters at scene of large gorse fire
Firefighters at scene of large gorse fire near Clogher Five fire appliances have been trying to suppress a fire in County Tyrone Firefighters are at the scene of a large gorse fire near Clogher in County Tyrone. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said they received a report of a fire near the Ashfield Road at about 12:51 BST on Wednesday. About 25 firefighters, five appliances and one command support unit are attempting to suppress the blaze, but a spokesperson said there was no risk to life or property. The NIFRS have advised those who live nearby to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wildfires: Firefighters extinguish gorse fire near Donemana
Firefighters extinguish gorse fire near Donemana 6 minutes ago Share Save Share Save BBC A large plume of smoke could be seen on the main Londonderry to Belfast road Firefighters have put out a gorse fire on a mountain bordering counties Londonderry and Tyrone. The fire service was called to the blaze at Slievekirk near Donemana at around 00:20 BST on Wednesday. Nine fire appliances and crews from Derry, Maghera, Ballymoney, Dungiven and Ballycastle attended the scene of the fire which covered one hectare of gorse. The incident was declared over at 10:55 BST, the Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) said. "Firefighters used five beaters and two knapsack sprayers to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition," the NIFRS said. It is the latest in a series of wildfires across Northern Ireland. On Tuesday Environment Minister Andrew Muir told the Northern Ireland Assembly that it is "only by the grace of God that nobody has been killed" by the recent spate of fires. Crews tackled more than 70 fires over one weekend in April across Northern Ireland. "We need a different attitude to the wildfires, which are having a devastating impact on our countryside," Muir said He added: "It is very distressing to see the damage that we have caused to our countryside." Last month NIFRS western area commander David Doherty said crews had been pushed to their "absolute limits" by a series of wildfires Speaking last month, NIFRS Western area commander David Doherty said the majority of the wildfires had been started deliberately and appealed to the public to report anyone starting fires. He warned the fire service had been pushed to "its absolute limits" by the number of wildfires across Northern Ireland.
