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Updated 9.49pm
NASA HAS TAKEN an aerial image showing where gorse fires are burning across Ireland.
Fires have been burning in several locations in recent weeks, including a huge blaze that has destroyed a third of Ireland’s largest forest at Cloosh Valley in Galway.
Today, the HSE issued a health warning advising people to avoid spending long amounts of times outdoors near affected areas.
Furthermore, a significant gorse fire on Achill Island in Mayo was brought under control this evening.
There have been more than 100 serious gorse and forest fires in recent weeks. Coillte has warned that thousands of acres of forest, moorland and wildlife are at major risk.
The organisation said the recent dry weather has greatly increased the risk of gorse and forestry fire, but deliberate fire-starting has also been a significant factor in the cause of many of the fires.
“The recent spate of fires has been responsible for the worst damage to Coillte’s estate since 2011.
“The combined loss of productive timber, together with the cost of replanting the affected areas will result in a multi-million euro bill,” Coillte’s managing director Gerard Murphy said.
A Mayo family lost their home after their thatched roof caught alight from a nearby blaze on Friday evening. Meanwhile, the majority of the fires in Dublin have occurred on Howth Head and the Dublin mountains.
The HSE is urging a number of precautions be taken in areas affected by smoke or ash. They recommend:
With reporting by Hayley Halpin, Sean Murray
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Fingers crossed they are sheltering and found safe and sound
Hopefully Jim, , hopefully.
Horrible to be woken by the sound of the helicopter and becoming all to regular with people going missing here. So very sad!
What a fast response from the emergency services
Hope that’s nothing to do with the story ran yesterday by the journal on gold up in wick low mountains and avoca
I’ve family down in Arklow, and that river seems to be a death trap.
I was coming out of the cinema from Bridgewater last night just at midnight and saw 2 very drunken men messing about and climbing the barriers where there are doing the road works and maintenance on the 19 Arches Bridge and they had a bag of cans. Wondering now was it them :(
Very sad whoever it is anyway and especially for the families :(
RTE are saying the search is over, one in hospital and sadly the other man has passed on.
RIP
Was it a suicide attempt hopefully someone will be found alive dreadful news.
One man has died the other survived. No one else missing from what the above report says.
I had posted the comment before the journal updated the story. Previously to that, the report was ‘maybe’ four people had entered the water.
I did not write my comment in reference to yours, apologies if you felt I did.
Sorry about that, I thought it was in reference to my comment.
People don’t pan for gold at night. I’d guess a wee bit of midnight fishing. R.I.P. great work once again by the emergency/rescue services.
4 men in total, 3 alive and one sadly passed away. So so sad.
Very sad
Jesus… i hope this wasnt as a result of the Journal’s mystery sponsored gold panning article yesterday about the Avoca gold rush!
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