Crosshaven gorse fire was a stark warning, says councillor

The recent wildfire at Camden Fort Meagher in Crosshaven should serve as a stark warning that the climate crisis is already affecting communities across Cork, a local councillor has said.

The gorse fire earlier this month was started in grassland that quickly grew out of control, with the blaze coming within feet of up to 30 properties in the area.

The reminder comes as the smell of smoke was reported as far away as Cork city on Thursday, following the extensive mountain fire at Slievenamon in Co Tipperary.

Coillte has issued a reminder to the public that a status orange high forest fire risk warning remains in effect until 12pm today.

Cork City Fire Brigade second officer Victor Shine told The Echo that recent events have demonstrated how a hotter, drier climate is increasing the risk of extreme weather events in Cork and Ireland.

“The climate is getting hotter and it is getting drier for longer periods of time. Which increases the risk of a fire starting and spreading faster,” Mr Shine said.

“It would be natural common sense for people using facilities, such as forest parks and forestry areas, that they manage what they are doing appropriately.

“They should be bringing away materials rather than discarding them, even simple things like bottles could heat up faster due to magnification from the sun.

“Not using open flame barbecues is the ideal situation. But if they must, manage it correctly, extinguish it correctly, and remove any materials that they use.”

He expressed confidence that the fire services in Cork will be able and equipped to deal with any similar wildfire incidents over the rest of the summer and beyond.

“All fire services, Cork city and county fire services, and in Ireland with the national fire service, are always evolving to deal with fires.

“We are going to many conferences. Our equipment and technology is moving along with the needs.”

John Sodeau, emeritus professor of chemistry at UCC, told The Echo that greater public education and awareness on wildfire prevention is essential.

Green Party Cork city councillor Honore Kamegni added that the climate crisis is no longer a problem for another generation or another continent.

“What happened in Crosshaven shows that climate change is already having real consequences here in Cork,” he said.

“We are seeing more intense and dangerous conditions, and we have only begun to witness how rapidly these impacts can escalate.”