Hundreds of acres of gorse and bush are destroyed in a major forest fire along the County Limerick-Tipperary border.
As dry weather turns woodlands into tinder boxes, the country has experienced an unprecedented spate of forest fires.
Fire brigades from Cappamore, Nenagh and Newport assisted by 50 foresters fought a major gorse fire along the County Limerick-Tipperary border. The fire started an area known as Buffanoky between Cappamore and Doon.
Firefighters brought the fire under control, preventing extensive damage being caused to the 5,000 acre state forest. Army units from the Limerick Barracks were on standby but were not called out.
The Shannon Met Office is predicting cloudy weather with outbreaks of rain is on the way which will ease the risk of further fires.
This is good news for the overworked fire service which has won widespread praise for coping effectively with fires and preventing the outbreaks from spreading further.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 March 1986. The footage shown here is mute.
