THE public has this Friday been warned to stay away from Killarney National Park as under pressure firefighters, backed up by the air corps, battle the biggest blaze ever seen in the area.
People have been told to steer well clear of the Old Kenmare Road, between Killarney and Kenmare, which is part of the Kerry Way walking route. A massive blaze is currently ripping through the park and the public have been told to stay away for their own safety and to ensure they do not impede the work of the emergency services.
It is one of several serious fires in the park this week and the authorities believe they are either being started by irresponsible farmers burning gorse out of season or as a deliberate act of arson.
The minister with responsibility for the park, Heather Humphreys, said every effort is being made to get the fire under control. .
“My department is monitoring developments closely and our staff on the ground are liaising directly with the fire services,” she said.
KillarneyToday.com can confirm that from 2.45pm on Thursday until 4.00am this Friday morning fire service units responded to 23 calls to 17 incidents in Kerry, 14 of which were wildfires.
Today alone, in addition to Killarney National Park, there were gorse fires in Sneem, Kells, Portmagee, Dingle and Inch.
A spokesperson for Kerry County Council said human lives and family homes are being put at risk.
