Concern over fire threat on Waterford's Comeragh Mountains

Following major fires in Wexford and Roscommon last week, locals in Waterford are expressing concern that a similar blaze may arise in the Déise unless action is taken.

The bog fire in Co. Roscommon last week required firefighters from three counties. 

Vincent Higgins from the Roscommon Fire Service said the ongoing spell of good weather has accentuated the speed at which gorse and forestry is catching fire.

Meanwhile in Wexford, the air quality continues to be monitored following a large gorse fire at Tara Hill.

Waterford Councillor Liam Brazil said this week that controlled burning should take place on the Comeragh Mountains to prevent a similar ordeal taking place in Waterford.

Cllr Brazil said: “I do believe that we need to have controlled burning on the mountain because if we don’t there’s going to be a savage fire one of these days.

“Somebody is going to throw out a butt or a match at the mountain there and it's going to take off and it won’t stop. Now is the time to act on this."

Cllr Brazil added: “I’m going to go harder on this because one of these days the Comeragh mountains will be on fire, and then we’ll all be shouting why this happened.

"Now is the time to act before it happens. It’s a match waiting to light."