Garda’ probe causes after spate of gorse and forest fires wreak havoc

Date Published: {J}

BY FRANK FARRAGHER

THE spate of gorse and forest fires that raged through different parts of Galway over the weekend is estimated to have caused several hundred thousand euro worth of damage to Coillte forestry plantations.

In the Lough Inagh, Recess area of Connemara, the fire which raged over the weekend damaged close on 400 acres of Coillte plantations – over 150 acres of young trees were completely destroyed.

Gorse fires also raged in the Mountbellew, Gort, Rosmuc, Inverin, Loughrea and Portumna areas over the weekend as the recent run of extremely dry weather left many areas ‘highly vulnerable’ to even a cigarette being carelessly dropped.

Gardai at Clifden confirmed that they have launched a full investigation into the cause of the fire at Recess including a technical examination of the scene – however the fires may have been started either ‘accidentally’ or through carelessness.

“We are carrying out a full investigation into the cause of the fires. At this stage we have an open mind on the matter but anyone with information on the cause of the fires should contact us at Clifden Garda Station (095-22500),” said a Garda spokesman.

A number of houses in the Mountbellew area were under threat on Sunday evening following what eyewitnesses described as a ‘spectacular and frightening’ fire in the Carnagopple/Gonnode/Springlawn area.

Former TD and local dweller Paul Connaughton said that for a time on Sunday evening the situation looked very serious for a number of residents in the Gurteen area but thankfully the danger had been averted.

“I would have to say that it were not for the Trojan work of the fire brigade members, things could have been an awful lot worse. They really did tremendous work in getting the fire under control,” said Paul Connaughton.

A Coillte spokesman again appealed to all members of the public to be extra careful, as even the careless discarding of a cigarette butt could set off a fire that could destroy hundreds of acres of forestry.

Nearly all of the fires that raged in the county over the weekend were brought under control by Monday and the rains that began to arrive on Wednesday will have been welcome news for Coillte and the fire services.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.