Co Clare sees four-fold rise in forest fires

There has been a 460% increase in the number of forest fire call-outs in Co. Clare so far this year.

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service tended to 204 forest, bog or gorse fires between January and June - that is compared to 36 for the same period in 2009.

The fire service also reported a 38% increase in call-outs to chimney fires so far this year.

The dramatic rise in call-outs follows on from one of the busiest periods ever experienced by fire service personnel in Clare during the winter when the county was affected by severe flooding and a prolonged cold spell.