Illegal hill fires - Huge cultural change needed

ILLEGALLY set hill fires are a regular and disheartening part of our summers and show that a considerable number of people still have a deep disregard for our shared environment and the laws enacted to protect it.

Fire units from across Kerry fought a hill fire that came close to destroying woods in Killarney National Park and eventually brought it under control in the early hours of yesterday morning. A Garda investigation is under way.

A number of fires were set in the Muckross area while the fire services were trying to bring the fire at Mangerton under control. This suggests a concerted effort, one that goes beyond environmental vandalism. There are a significant number of houses close to Mangerton and this is the second fire to threaten them this year.

Fire chiefs warned that yesterday’s fire also threatened Loughquittane National School. It seems it is only a matter of time before lives are lost because of illegally set hill fires.

Homeowners, hill walkers, fire service personnel and even schoolchildren were all put in danger by the arsonists. So too was an almost irreplaceable national treasure — Killarney’s ancient oak woods.

Though these crimes were committed in Kerry, every county has an unfortunate record of environmental vandalism. A significant minority still feel free to abuse our environment. A huge cultural change is needed and severe sanctions have a part to play.

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