Emergency services tackle gorse fires in residential area of Waterford City
Fire fighters tackle a wildfire that took hold close to housing in the Wiliamstown area of Waterford city last week.
Last Wednesday evening, a gorse fire took place directly adjacent to Williamstown housing estate in Waterford City.
Units of Waterford Fire Service responded to a gorse fire on rough ground in the Williamstown area on the evening of Wednesday, July 9.
Crews from Waterford City, Tramore and Dunmore East attended the scene and immediately set about protecting surrounding property before extinguishing the fire.
Waterford City Fire Service confirmed that there was no property damage.
A statement to the Waterford News & Star from Waterford City and County Council confirmed that one house was temporarily evacuated due to smoke direction and, in consultation with An Garda Siochana, a local road was closed for a period of time.
“The incident occurred in challenging conditions but was successfully managed thanks to the response and coordinated efforts of our fire personnel,” the statement said.
“A number of units were diverted from the scene to deal with other outdoor fires at the time and a serious road traffic collision in the Tramore area."
It is not yet clear what caused the fire to break out and if a previous fire at the same site two weeks ago is linked.
A second fire broke out behind the former Waterford Crystal Leisure Centre site the following day.
Both Waterford Council and Waterford City Fire Service issued immediate reminders to the public to be vigilant.
“We would like to remind the public of the serious risk during hot weather posed by discarded smoking material, glass bottles or other items that could ignite dry vegetation, and to avoid lighting fires or barbecues in areas of open ground. Public vigilance plays a vital role in preventing wildfires and protecting our communities.”
A Waterford City Fire Service spokesperson said on Thursday: "No property was damaged due to the quick actions of crews on the ground and dampening down could continue today as hot spots spark up."
Residents in the area confirmed that fire service personnel had been at the scene in subsequent days, and that their work during the ordeal was highly commendable.
The fire service statement continued, "Due to ongoing hot and dry weather conditions, all areas with dead grasses, heather, and gorse are at high risk. Fires may spread rapidly and unpredictably, potentially causing extensive damage and creating significant challenges for firefighting efforts.
"Members of the public and visitors to recreational areas are urged not to light fires or barbeques outdoors, particularly in forested areas. Landowners, forest managers, and residents in rural areas should maintain vigilance, avoid activities that might cause sparks, and report any suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána immediately."
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said in the aftermath that a red warning had been issued for forest fire danger.
"Under extreme fire risk conditions, any ignition source in dead grasses and low moisture shrub fuels like gorse and heather may give rise to rapid and unpredictable wildfire development and spread. Upland fires in these weather conditions can be expected to pose extreme difficulties to firefighting efforts.
"Fires at this time of year can also have a devastating impact on wildlife and habitats, especially fledgling birds and young mammals living in affected areas. Smoke from uncontrolled fires can also impact on human populations downwind of fire incidents."
So far during 2025, over 4,300 hectares of land, including more than 300 hectares of forest, has already been affected by fires and the Department has already issued seven Fire Danger Notices to-date this year in response to high-risk weather phases.
Meanwhile, at a meeting of Waterford Council last week, Cllr Jim Griffin said that councillors should do everything in their power to alert the relevant departments of areas of gorse in the city to prevent a similar fire taking place again.
“The gorse fire yesterday in Williamstown bordered many houses,” he said.
He added that vacant lands pose a threat due to the amount of gorse present.
“We know right across the city and county of housing estates, which are started and unfinished, that are surrounded by gorse. If we could identify lands and write to developers on behalf of the council.
"I'd be hoping that councillors could identify places that have gorse near their houses and ask the developers could they send in machinery to tear out that gorse.
"You saw the fire last night, it could have been life-threatening and I'd like to thank the emergency services, they were phenomenal."
