Gorse fires in different locations around Ireland consumed the attention of the island’s firefighters this weekend.
Photos of smoke and flames from various sites around the country, including Kenmare in Co. Kerry, Bantry in Co. Cork and the Kilmore Woods in Co. Clare.
The Irish Times has reported that roughly 10-15 acres if forestry were destroyed by the blazes, and that it took over 50 personnel to get the fires under control. Some of the fires raged for a full 24 hours.
It’s not yet clear what started the fires, and it is illegal to burn gorse after March 1. Controlled burning before that date is encouraged, but farmers want this period extended. The Irish Wildlfire Trust trust, on the other hand, wants the practice ended because of the damage done to Irish flora and fauna.
View from Kenmare pier of out of control #Gorsefire thats been burning from Tuosist in towards Bonane/Kenmare 4 past 24hrs @radiokerrynews pic.twitter.com/DWwmSy1RGX
— Jerry O'Sullivan (@jerosullivanRK) April 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/BantryFire/status/856117000103489536
https://twitter.com/SeanLyons1/status/855878627363258370
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