Gorse fires are raging this evening at a number of locations in the vicinity of Mount Gabriel, covering quite a large area.
GORSE fires are raging this (Friday) evening at a number of locations in the vicinity of Mount Gabriel, covering quite a large area.
The picture here was taken by Matt Kirkham from the Toormore to Durrus-Bantry road near Dunmanus.
Some locals fear the fires are out of control, with a number of them burning fiercely as close as 500 metres from homes, farms and livestock.
Fire brigades in West Cork have become busy in recent days as a spate of gorse burning has started to coincide with the dry weather we have been having for the past week.
Under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to burn gorse between March 1st and August 31st.
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