Wicklow fire service respond to multiple blazes after week of extreme weather

A large gorse fire on Bray Head broke out on Friday morning, May 29, and Wicklow fire crews brought it under control. Units from Bray and Greystones responded, with support from Civil Defence drone teams while efforts continued to contain the blaze. Wicklow County Council confirmed that crews are expected to remain on site for several hours to carry out dampening operations. The incident follows a period of unusually high temperatures and a spate of wildfires across County Wicklow, including multiple gorse fires in recent days. Additional outbreaks were reported in Greystones, Rathdrum, Aughrim, Baltinglass, Bray, and Wicklow town. Parts of Bray Head may continue to smoulder and could reignite, so the public was advised to avoid the area while monitoring continues.

"Wicklow fire crews have brought a large gorse fire under control on Bray Head after it broke out on Friday morning, May 29. Units from both Bray and Greystones responded to the incident, with support from Civil Defence drone teams as efforts continued to contain the blaze. Wicklow County Council confirmed that while the fire has been controlled, crews are expected to remain at the scene for several hours carrying out dampening operations."

"In an update on Friday morning, the council have warned that parts of Bray Head affected by the blaze may continue to smoulder and could reignite. "Following the large fire on Bray Head yesterday [Thursday], some areas continue to smoulder and reignite," a spokesperson said. "The fire crew from Bray are attending, the fire is under control and may continue to smoulder while damping down operations continue.""

"The incident comes amid a spate of wildfires across County Wicklow following a week of unusually high temperatures. According to the council, fire crews have dealt with multiple gorse fires in recent days, including three separate incidents on the Great Sugarloaf mountain, which was attended by Bray crews. Additional outbreaks have been reported in Greystones, Rathdrum, Aughrim, Baltinglass, Bray and Wicklow town."

"Members of the public have been advised to avoid the area and not put themselves at risk while emergency services remain on site. The council said that authorities are continuing to monitor conditions closely as dry weather increases the risk of further fires across the county."

Read at Irish Independent