Fire service continues to monitor gorse fire on Bray Head

THE BRAY FIRE Service continues to monitor a gorse fire on Bray Head today.

It’s one of a number of gorse fires that cropped up in the last number of days in the east of the country. Dublin Fire Service tackled two fires in the Dublin Mountains.

On Friday, fire crews from Bray and Greystones maintained a presence on Bray Head as they worked to keep the large fire under control. They were assisted by gardaí and Wicklow Civil Defence.

Crews remained on site until 11pm on Friday. They returned this morning after receiving reports of smoke in the area and will continue dampening-down operations as required.

Wicklow Fire Service

“While the fire has been brought under control, some hotspots may continue to smoulder for a period,” a spokesperson for Wicklow County Council said.

“Members of the public are advised to avoid the affected area and remain vigilant.”

The series of fires initially began amid an extended spell of warm, dry weather across Dublin and much of the country. The conditions contributed to a number of recent gorse fires in upland areas.

While controlled burning is a common land management practice in some rural areas, it is prohibited between 1 March and 31 August under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act.

Two local representatives, Sinn Féin TD John Brady and councillor John Ward described the fire as “environmentally devastating” and hit out at what they said is a continued lack of “proper fire prevention and management plan for the area”.

This is a failure of the local council and the government, they said.

Brady said this must be addressed as a matter of urgency. He said he will raise these concerns with the minister, “and voicing concerns at the hands-off approach currently being taken” by the relevant authorities.