Minister blames 'human activity' for Killarney National Park wildfire

Fire crews and helicopters contained the blaze after 15 hectares were damaged, as fresh warnings were issued over fire risks

The wildfire that broke out in the Five Mile Bridge area of Killarney National Park on Tuesday evening. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Biodiversity minister Christopher O’Sullivan has blamed "human activity" for the outbreak of a wildfire at Killarney National Park.

Firefighters extinguished the large fire after it caused damage to around 15 hectares of land within the park.

Four units of Kerry Fire Service were on the scene for hours, along with two helicopters deployed to help bring the blaze under control.

Mr O'Sullivan said the "devastating fire" was "not a natural disaster" and was caused by "human activity".

The wildfire was brought under control following a rapid and coordinated response by Kerry Fire and Rescue Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff. Two helicopters were deployed using Bambi buckets to assist ground crews in tackling the blaze. Further assessment will be carried out today. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

“For days, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been battling fires, including incidents believed to have been started by the reckless use of disposable barbecues. This is utterly unacceptable," he said.

“Lighting fires or using disposable barbecues in a National Park or any wild area is not carelessness, it is gross irresponsibility – especially during a heatwave," Mr O'Sullivan added.

Meanwhile, fire services have urged people to be "vigilant and cautious" as the heatwave has led to several gorse fires around the country.

Crews on site at the Killarney National Park wildfire yesterday evening. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Kerry county councillor Martin Grady who also works as a fire officer, said that, with more hot weather forecast over the coming days and a busy tourist season under way, people need to be cautious when visiting beauty spots and dispose of rubbish responsibly, including disposable barbecues.

He said the cause of the fire had not yet been established, but it was brought under control "pretty quickly".

Crosshaven blaze

An "absolute monster" of a blaze near a Cork coastal town came within 2ft of setting fire to up to 30 homes as firefighters spent hours desperately trying to get it under control.

The blaze, which started on Monday evening, rapidly engulfed 26,000sq ft of land near Camden Fort Meagher in Crosshaven.

It is believed teenagers started a small fire in grassland that quickly grew out of control.

Gardaí have launched an investigation and said enquiries are "ongoing".