Firebreaks needed around Killarney National Park

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and landowners around Killarney National Park are to be asked by Kerry County Council to create firebreaks around their properties in the wake of recent, highly destructive wild fires.

Upwards of 4,500 acres were destroyed in the national park, on April 9-10, and an air corps helicopter had to be brought in to help extinguish fires in the Ladies’ View and Derrycunnihy areas, which are frequented by tourists.

Serious concerns about risks to human life and property from out-of-control fires, in several parts of Kerry, were highlighted at yesterday’s council meeting in Tralee.