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DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE is still investigating the cause of a gorse fire that broke out in the Dublin Mountains last night.
The sky above the mountains was lit up last night after a fire broke out around the Tibradden area, close to the site of the Hellfire Club on Montpelier Hill.
Pictures were shared across social media of the blaze, with reports that it could be seen from as afar away as Crumlin Hospital.
Fardod O'Kelly / TwitterTwo huge fires up in the Dublin mountains right now visible from Crumlin Hospital! @rte @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/lqWKw1baVI
— Fardod O'Kelly (@FardodOKelly) January 25, 2017
Units from the Dublin Fire Brigade rushed to the scene to tackle the blaze.
Dublin Fire Brigade / TwitterWe've three pumps enroute to a #gorse #fire near Tibradden in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains. pic.twitter.com/K0yKV4T5jF
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 25, 2017
A spokesperson for the Fire Brigade told TheJournal.ie today that two units travelled to the source of the fire.
The rough terrain and nighttime conditions made it difficult to extinguish the blaze.
Instead, units monitored with the support of Coillte – the forestry organisation – to ensure that it remained under control.
The fire ran it course and was extinguished late last night.
The DFB spokesperson said that it was still unclear how the fire started. But that the dryness of the gorse meant that it could spread easily.
“We’re going through a dry period so it spread easily,” the spokesperson said.
TheJournal.ie has sought comment from Coillte.
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The fires actually encourage gorse bushes. They eliminate competitor plants and create great soil conditions for nitrogen fixing plants like gorse. The farmers would be better off planting fast growing trees which will shade out the gorse in a few years. Otherwise it is a never ending loop of gorse bushes. Added benefit of lovely trees aswell :)
Of gorse they do
Except most of what I saw burning was heather and not furze/gorse
Cause is simple S——ba–gs
Sandbags?
Ah now I get it, soilbags. Like mulch and stuff
No no, you’re adding an extra letter there. There’s only 2 blanks after the S
SCUBANGS?
I’m sure if you asked the farmer or whoever grazes the land he’d soon tell them who started it……
Id say theres a good chance fire was the casue
Gardai have 2 names in connection with the fires. McGuire & Patterson.
have your say