Fire crews struggle with gorse and forestry fire in Co Clare

Fire crews from two Clare stations were on Wednesday evening battling a significant bog, gorse and forestry fire near Kilmaley which had threatened local properties for a time.

The alarm was raised at about 2.25pm when homeowners in the Kilcloher area called the fire service reporting the lands adjacent to their properties were on fire. At least one local man was forced to use his garden hose to try and keep the fire away from his property.

Units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Ennis station were mobilised to the incident and quickly began tackling the blaze which was close to at least three homes.

Several acres of gorse had already burned out by the time fire crews arrived.

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Local homes

Firefighters used beaters to try stamp out the fire but had to deploy hoses to deal with it as it once again threatened local homes. Two water tankers were also brought in to replenish supplies for other fire appliances. Winds picked up and pushed fire towards local forestry but the blaze then changed direction again, back towards local houses.

Clare Civil Defence was requested to assist by deploying a drone to give fire officers an aerial view of the expansive scene. Staff from the state forestry agency Coillte were also at the scene.

A helicopter was due to be deployed on Wednesday evening to tackle the fire from the air by dropping water on affected areas.