LAST UPDATE | 28 May
OVER 20 FIREFIGHTERS have been tackling two gorse fires in the Dublin Mountains since 2am.
It’s caused smoke to drift across parts of south Dublin and into Dublin City.
Dublin Fire Service has advised impacted residents to close all doors and windows, despite the warm weather.
Crews have been tackling the fire off the Piperstown Road, close to the Hellfire Club, since around 2am.
A separate fire is also underway at Glassamucky – the two fires are in close proximity.
The fire service has urged the public to avoid the area, warning that smoke is affecting visibility on nearby roads including the M50.
Farmers in the area have also been asked to check on livestock.
Five fire engines are on the scene and Dublin Fire Service said strong winds have caused “whirling vortices”.
Elsewhere, a separate gorse fire in Bray Head has been brought under control by Wicklow fire services.
The incident comes amid an extended spell of warm, dry weather across Dublin and much of the country, conditions that have contributed to a number of recent gorse fires in upland areas.
While controlled burning is a common land management practice in some rural areas, it is prohibited between 1 March and 31 August under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act.
The restriction aims to reduce wildfire risks during nesting season and periods of dry weather. Those convicted of illegal burning offences can also face reviews of grants received from government departments.
According to Met Éireann, dry and warm conditions are expected to continue until Friday, before rain arrives over the weekend.
Agriculture minister Martin Heydon was recently asked in the Dáil what measures were being taken to prevent wildfires.
He said the Department monitors the fire risk throughout the fire season in conjunction with Met Éireann and communicates high-risk fire weather phases in advance to the forest sector and other relevant stakeholders.
-With additional reporting from Diarmuid Pepper