Forestry destroyed, but several homes saved in worst gorse fires for years

Hundreds of acres of forestry were destroyed but several homes were saved during the worst gorse fires seen in Co Clare for years.

At one point on Wednesday night, not a single firefighter or appliance from Co Clare’s seven fire stations was available to respond to a call.

Crews from four stations spent almost 10 hours battling gorse and forestry blazes close to homes on Mt Callan in the west of the county.