LOCAL COUNCILS HAVE been contending with melting roads while emergency services have been tackling fires all set off by soaring temperatures across the country as Ireland’s heatwave continues unabated.

Latest reports from Met Éireann show that the max temperature recorded today was 30.8°C at Shannon Airport.

Other areas also surpassed the 30 degrees mark, while many places were in the high 20s.

With the extended spell of heat, local councils and emergency services have been dealing with a number of incidents across the country.

Water restrictions have also been implemented in a number of areas.

Dublin Fire Brigade recently battled a gorse fire off the Old Military Road in County Wicklow caused by the heat. At its height, DFB said three fire engines and a foam tender attended the scene.

“We appealing to people to avoid roads near these wildfires, wind changes can cause problems,” DFB tweeted.

Last night, fire crews also had to respond to a number of open fire hydrants which had flooded the roads.

“Opening fire hydrants is illegal, it reduces water pressure for the surrounding areas and a waste of natural resources,” the Fire Brigade said.

Melting roads

Meanwhile, crews from local councils have been treating roads as a result of the tar melting in the prolonged high heat.

Mayo County Council tweeted that gritters were standing by to deal with melting roads in the sunshine.

“Road Safety Alert: Our gritters are on standby to deal with melting roads in the blazing sunshine. Gritters can be used for hail and in this case shine! Please be aware and drive carefully,” the council tweeted yesterday.

Crews have been gritting roads around Turlough, north of Castlebar, RTÉ reports.

Work has also been carried out in other areas of the country, including Connemara.