Brave firefighters rushed to a blaze in the Wicklow Mountains this weekend as the first sign of sunshine saw coronavirus social distancing go out the window.
The fire led to calls for people to be more careful when out and about enjoying nature, as they "are normally caused by careless use of BBQs, cigarettes or arson".
Hillwalkers ignoring calls to #StayAtHome were also urged to report any suspicious activity to gardai.
A crew from Wicklow Fire Service were called to deal with a wildland fire on Military road near Rathdrum on Saturday afternoon.
They posted afterwards: "Please be fire safe if out and about in beautiful #Wicklow this season. Saturday #Rathdrum Fire Crew had to deal with a “Wildland fire” on the Military road near #Laragh. @gardainfo @WicklowUplands."
The fire came on a weekend as bored families on lockdown took advantage of the fine weather despite calls from healthcare workers, gardai and politicians to self-isolate amid the global coronavirus outbreak that has so far claimed more than 14,000 lives.
People across the country have been ignoring calls to engage in social distancing to try and slow down the spread of deadly COVID-19, which has seen the country go into near lockdown in the past 10 days.
Gardai had to close roads and car parks near Glendalough today, while beaches in Dublin including Portmarnock and Donabate were packed with people, as was Fairview Park and Bettystown strand in Co Meath.
The Dublin Fire Brigade took to social media to congratulate their Wicklow colleagues on a job well done.
They tweeted: "With an increase of footfall in the hills we see an increase in woodland fires.
"These types of fires are normally caused by careless use of BBQs, cigarettes or arson. Use the hills responsibly, report suspicious activity to @gardainfo.
"Well done @FireWicklow in #Rathdrum."
