Wicklow Fire Service are battling a large bushfire in Crown Woods in Enniskerry.
A status orange forest fire warning is in place as temperatures soar up to 30 degrees across the country.
Firefighters from Bray and Greystones attended the scene at 1am on Monday night and are working to contain the blaze.
A Coilte spokeswoman said: “The fire is affecting forested areas and the Wicklow Mountains National Park. An Air Force helicopter was available to assist in the effort.
“It is too early to determine the source of ignition of this fire.”
This was Croon Woods, County Wicklow, Ireland last night. It’s burning this morning and waiting for water drops by helicopter, fire fighters tell me. 😥#Forest fire pic.twitter.com/RL2B7MA9CG
– Dr. Cara Augustenborg (@CAugustenborg) July 19, 2022
The public is urged to refrain from using outdoor fires and other open sources such as barbecues and cigarettes.
“Coil requests that all members of the public and visitors to the resort cooperate with all inquiries regarding fire safety, comply with all relevant regulations and consider parking where emergency vehicles cannot reach them.
“Forest fires pose a serious health and safety threat to the community and those working in the forestry sector. They are difficult to control and put firefighters and forest workers at great risk in their efforts to extinguish them.
“They cause ecological and environmental damage to wildlife, and protected habitats and species can take years to recover,” Coilte said.
When a forest fire occurs, the community is advised not to interfere or try to fight the fire.
The organization advises people to gather all family/group members and go to a car park where there is no safe fuel, wind of the fire and phone fire and rescue services on 112 and report the fire and its location.
