Firefighters from three counties are continuing their efforts to bring a bog fire in Co Roscommon under control.
The wildfire, around Gortaganny in the west of the county, has been burning since yesterday afternoon.
Several units from counties Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim have been deployed to tackle it.
Fire crews have spent much of the day working to stop the spread of the flames in several different areas.
They have managed to keep the fire away from houses and are hopeful that they can bring the situation under control by the end of the day.
Vincent Higgins from the Roscommon Fire Service said the ongoing spell of good weather had left the ground extremely dry, accentuating the speed at which gorse and forestry is catching fire.
"With temperatures of around 25 degrees in recent weeks, the vegetation is dry as a bone and in those conditions it just goes up in an instant" he said.
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Swirling winds have also complicated matters, with embers lifting from one area to another, aiding the spread of the blaze.
Two helicopters are being used to douse the worst effected areas from above, with water from a nearby lake being used for this process.
It is estimated that the fire has impacted an area across a seven kilometre radius.
Plumes of smoke are dispersing around the locality as residents keep watch on their properties and land holdings.
Farmer Noel Flanagan said it was worrying to see how fast the fire was able to spread. He estimated that several hundred acres of forestry would be burned by the time the blaze was fully contained.
"The area is so big, a lot of plantations, a lot of bog, a lot of wildlife has been destroyed by this," he said.
Meanwhile, Wexford Fire Service has said that the blaze on Tara Hill near Gorey, Co Wexford is under control, after the alarm was raised shortly before 4pm yesterday.
Firefighters are still battling a significant fire at the top of the hill, but no homes are under threat.
Smoke is engulfing the hill as the Irish Air Corps helicopter assists with efforts to quench the fires.
Farmers have been transporting water up the hill for the fire units and the local community has been gathering supplies to give to the emergency services at the local GAA club and Tara Vale pub.
In a statement, Wexford County Council had said a drone was deployed to monitor the overall situation and air quality monitoring is being carried out.
Wexford County Council is advising vulnerable people, such as elderly adults, those with small babies and people with breathing conditions to close doors and windows and switch off ventilation systems.
Aer corps helicopter is helping firefighters battle gorse fire near Gorey Co Wexford this lunchtime @rtenews pic.twitter.com/D73u6cU2PX
— Dyane Connor (@Dyaneconnor) May 19, 2025
Five crews from Gorey, Bunclody, Arklow and Carnew are currently keeping the fire under control, according to Wexford County Council.
They are being assisted by Coillte, an Garda Siochána and local farmers who are supplying water tankers, traffic control and the creation of fire breaks in the area.
"Air quality monitoring, conducted by the Wexford County Council Environment team indicates that while Gorey is being impacted by smoke from the fires the overall air quality is considered good, but is moving to Fair quality".
"Other towns down-wind, Bunclody and Ferns, are being impacted to a lesser degree and air quality remains good".
A spokesperson for the council said a mist has started to fall in the Tara Hill area which should further assist in localising smoke and helping to further contain the fire.
Tara Hill Community Development Association posted on its Facebook page thanking the local farming community.
"Last night, 15 local farmers worked tirelessly, drawing water from the Ahare river and nearby ponds.
"Their quick action and dedication were instrumental in helping to slow the spread of the fire," the statement said.
