A wildfire on Slievenamon in Co Tipperary has “reduced significantly”, according to Tipperary County Council, however firefighters are continuing to tackle a number of isolated hotspots.
In a statement released this morning, the council said fire crews, supported by the Air Corps, are on site to manage the remaining hotspots and to monitor conditions across the wider mountain area.
“Smoke levels are noticeably reduced today as a result of the progress made in suppressing the fire.
“Some smoke may continue to be noticeable intermittently in areas close to Slievenamon, depending on wind direction and fire activity.
“Residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, are advised to continue taking appropriate precautions where necessary.
“The multi-agency response remains in place, with all agencies continuing to review conditions and prioritise the safety of crews, local residents, landowners and the wider community,” said the council.
Acting Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service, Carol Kennedy, explained that there is still one line of fire around the Holy Year Cross.
Aerial support will be on the scene again today, and Ms Kennedy said that the hope is to beat down the fire before temperatures rise today.
“If temperatures rise again it will ignite everything we tackled yesterday,” she said.
“We are taking a strategic approach today, it’s still all hands on deck on day seven of this.”
She added that crews will remain at the fire lines extinguished yesterday in case they ignite again, in the hope that they can act quickly if anything appears to be changing.
Meanwhile in Co Wicklow, there was no reignition overnight of a fire in Glencree.
In a statement, Wicklow County Council said the National Parks and Wildlife Service is continuing to “monitor the area and are dealing with any areas smouldering in the peat”.