A large and very serious fire has spread through Killarney National Park, Kerry.
National Parks and Wildlife Service staff, along with the local fire brigade, are currently on site dealing with the incident.
An army helicopter has also been called in as the fire service, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Kerry County Council work to stem the flames.
A warning has been issued to the public by the authorities which states: "We are asking members of the public to avoid areas of the Park listed below until further notice: Gotderraree, Derrycunnihy, Gallavally, Cahernaduv, Gearhameen, Doogary, Eagles nest and The Five mile.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and the NPWS will be following up with authorities including the Kerry Fire Services to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the blaze once circumstances permit.
If anyone is travelling on the N71, they're being asked to exercise caution because emergency services vehicles are on-site which may lead to some traffic congestion in the five-mile bridge area.
The Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage have also said: "There may be reduced visibility in the area due to smoke. We are currently working with other agencies in investigating the causes of these fires."
Speaking in relation to the conflagration, Minister Noonan has said: "I would like to take this opportunity, firstly, to put on official record my thanks to the Kerry Fire Service, Killarney Water Rescue, An Garda Siochana, the Air Corps and my National Park and Wildlife Service staff in Killarney, who are working tirelessly to quench this fire. The cause of the fire is not yet known and the NPWS will be following up with authorities including the Kerry Fire Services to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the blaze once circumstances permit.
"Wildfires are generally not a natural phenomenon in Ireland. Aside from the obvious pressures placed on the emergency services and NPWS during the current pandemic, fires are particularly destructive in spring and early summer as it is the prime season for nesting birds, breeding mammals and the regeneration of growth and habitats after the winter period. Uncontrolled fires in these high conservation value designated Natura 2000 landscapes (SAC/SPA) have a long-lasting negative impact on the biodiversity of the area. This impact is often wider than just the footprint of the burnt area.
"Uncontrolled burning can kill nesting birds including birds like the curlew which has been lost from huge areas of Ireland. It can destroy other species and habitats, damage commercial forestry and leave areas unsuitable for grazing for a long period of time. Uncontrolled and unplanned burning can result in a monoculture of more dominant, stagnant vegetation types over large areas.
"I would appeal to members of the public to be conscious of the dangers posed by fire on open ground. Even planned and/or "controlled" burning can get out of hand very quickly, so it is critically important that every member of society realises the damage that can be caused to property and, indeed, the health and welfare of family, neighbours and the wider community, and the responding emergency services.
"The main source of wildfires is frequently thought to be the deliberate starting of fires without concern for the consequences. Aside from such malicious activities, one of the main challenges is to encourage members of the public, (including landowners, farmers and recreational users of publicly accessible land), to act responsibly at all times, to be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, to be mindful of the need to protect property, both publicly owned and privately owned and to appreciate the value of our natural heritage, particularly in our National Parks, Nature Reserves and Designated (Natura 2000) Sites.
"I would appeal to all members of the public to be conscious of the danger posed by fire – any fire – but particularly a fire on open ground which can very quickly get out of control. We have all seen how homes and lives can be threatened and we can also see the damage to the landscape and to valuable habitats caused by uncontrolled fires. Largely it is a question of individuals being more responsible about actions they take and being mindful of the potential damage to life, private property, and public property that can be caused by carelessly setting fires.
