The fire is currently raging in Ireland’s biggest forest.
Two helicopters from the Irish Air Corps are attending the scene of a major blaze in Galway after it broke out in the Moycullen and Oughterard area.
The fire is in the Cloosh Valley forest, which is the largest forest in the country. Two further fires were contained by members of the Galway Fire Brigade but one is still raging in a third area.
Over a quarter of the 4,000 hectare plantation has been lost and there are a number of properties in the area still at risk from the blaze.
There were some fears that the fire could spread and affect a nearby wind farm but this has been avoided for the moment although the fire is still spreading out of control through the boglands.
Coillte and Air Corps helicopters are dropping water in the area to try and get the blaze under control.
2 of our helicopters are assisting local services in battling fires in Galway at the moment. @defenceforces #DefendProtectSupport pic.twitter.com/Ej8NZDeaLL
— Irish Air Corps (@IrishAirCorps) May 9, 2017
Reports suggest the fires broke out because of people lighting fires illegally in the area.
In a statement, Galway Green Party representative Pauline O’Reilly said “We have got to get serious about blazes which have been ravaging our beautiful countryside throughout March, April and May. Burning is illegal from March 1, through to September.
“Coilte are clear that they believe, as do local residents, that these fires have been lit illegally putting tremendous pressure on fire services and having a detrimental effect on wildlife”.
Just days ago, the Air Corps released this amazing footage from the Ox Mountains in Sligo as they battled gorse fires.
Take a look at the #OxMountains at the moment. We're battling with local crews. #makingitrain @defenceforces pic.twitter.com/ttCm1wGJf6
— Irish Air Corps (@IrishAirCorps) May 6, 2017
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