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A view of the fires that spread across large areas of Killarney National Park over the weekend. \ Kerry County Council
A wildlife burned large tracts of land in Killarney National Park in Co Kerry over the weekend.
Fire services in Kerry were called to the scene on Friday evening and continued to battle the flames well into Saturday.
Members of the public were asked to avoid several areas of the park and to exercise caution if travelling the nearby N71.
Footage from the fire in Killarney National Park which continues this evening almost 24 hours after it began
Thanks to Kerry Fire Service personnel and many other agencies for their hard work in battling the flames @DeptHousingIRL#Killarney
BBC News
Published
image copyright@SincerelyZara/PA
image captionKillarney National Park features mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls but the area has sustained significant fire damage
A major fire has damaged large parts of Killarney National Park in the Republic of Ireland.
It has affected thousands of acres of land in the County Kerry beauty spot, according to Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
Fire crews deployed to tackle the blaze have been assisted by Gardaí (Irish police), the National Park and Wildlife Service and other agencies.
An Irish Air Corps helicopter was also deployed, helping to douse 50,000 litres of water on to the flames.
The public has been asked to avoid a number of areas of Killarney National Park.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Malcolm Noonan said emergency service personnel are working tirelessly to quench the flames.
1. A large fire & very serious is burning in Killarney National Park. @npwsBioData staff & the Fire Brigade are currently on site dealing with the incident. We are asking members of the public to avoid areas of the Park listed below until further notice: pic.twitter.com/3DdDiL8wZj Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (@DeptHousingIRL) April 24, 2021
“The cause of the fire is not yet known and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be following up with authorities including the Kerry Fire Services to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the blaze once circumstances permit,” he said.
The Five Mile.
Members of the public are also asked to exercise caution if travelling on the N71, as the emergency services vehicles in the area may cause some traffic congestion near the Five Mile Bridge. Motorists are also warned there may be reduced visibility in the area due to smoke.
1. A large fire & very serious is burning in Killarney National Park. @npwsBioData staff & the Fire Brigade are currently on site dealing with the incident. We are asking members of the public to avoid areas of the Park listed below until further notice: pic.twitter.com/3DdDiL8wZj Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (@DeptHousingIRL) April 24, 2021
Emergency services tackle huge fire in Killarney National Park Blaze fanned by strong breeze appears to have destroyed oakwoods at Eagles Nest
about 9 hours ago Updated: about 6 hours ago Anne Lucey
The fire, which broke out at midnight, was fanned by a strong breeze. Photograph: Department of Housing/Twitter
Thousands of acres of national park are burning on Saturday evening in Killarney as fire crews, national park personnel and an army helicopter try to contain the huge fire on the southern and western edges of Killarney National Park.
Civil Defence and gardaí were also at the scene.
Inflatables were being used to ferry fire personnel and equipment across the lake while others remained to fight the blazes on the opposite shore.