Council: Over 20 gorse fires made up West Cork blaze

County Firefighters worked through the night to control blazes on the Mizen Peninsula after significant flames were spotted on Mount Gabriel over the weekend.

Fine Gael Councillor Caroline Cronin said the fires were burning on Sunday evening and could be seen from Schull town.

“It was very bad on the Mizen peninsula, you could see the fires from Goleen and Schull.” 

Cork County Council outlined how they were alerted to the fires. “Schull Fire Brigade assisted by Dunmanway Fire Brigade was called to the Irish Aviation Centre in Mount Gabriel at 20:48 on Sunday, by Gardaí in Schull as the fires came very close to the Radar Installation and buildings. Crews extinguished the fire near the installation using water from their appliances. (The blaze came close enough to activate the fire alarm installation in the buildings, but the fire did not damage them).

Ms Cronin said she was concerned for the wildlife and also the firefighters who were working to put out the blaze.

“I commend the firefighters for working tirelessly to control the fire.” 

Over the weekend, Cork County Council Fire Crews in West Cork responded to over 20 gorse/vegetation fires primarily in the Mizen and Beara Peninsulas with all six fire brigades (Bantry, Castletownbere, Schull, Skibbereen, Dunmanway and Clonakilty) involved.

A statement from Cork County Council described the fires.

“Crews worked hard in very challenging conditions for long hours tackling these fires, some of which came very close to private houses, with all houses protected. Fire crews contended with very heavy vegetation cover together with strong winds, which made it very difficult to fight the fires.” 

The local councillor said it was hard to see the damage caused by the flames.

“Nobody likes to see the natural beauty of the mountains destroyed.” West Cork Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan said emergency services were under severe pressure.

“I've seen the images from Schull. The fire was clearly out of control and if intentional then it's completely irresponsible.

“County fire services are completely stretched as it is in responding to incidents. When they have to put themselves at risk dealing with hillside fires it means they can't respond to other emergencies.

“The strong winds were forecast, it was always going to be an issue.” 

Cork County Council highlighted the danger and risks associated with uncontrolled fires.

“Uncontrolled fires pose a danger to wildlife, property, infrastructure, the environment and potentially, human life. They can be a significant and prolonged draw on fire service resources and may compromise the ability to respond to other incidents such as road traffic collisions or domestic fires.” The local authority also emphasized the legislative restrictions around burning vegetation.

“The burning of vegetation is controlled by the Wildlife Acts. It is an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Act, 2000) to burn, from 01 March to 31 August in any year, any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated. Individuals who are found to burn vegetation within that prohibited period are liable to prosecution by An Garda Síochána or by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).”