More gorse fires: Out of control

Gorse fires can occur naturally, but there is a strong suspicion that many, if not the majority, are as a result of arson designed to clear land for grazing.

Over recent days there were fires in counties Cork, Wicklow, Cavan, and parts of the North. Two new fires broke out in West Cork yesterday between Skibbereen and Schull.

In one incident late last week, a family of five was left homeless when their house, near Kiltimagh in Co Mayo, was destroyed.