A MASSIVE wildfire in the vicinity of Killarney National Park caused consternation late on Wednesday night with several units of the fire service battling for hours to bring it under control.
The 100-acre blaze was largely concentrated in the foothills beneath Mangerton mountain and it burned into the night before it was eventually quenched shortly after 6.00am this Thursday.
The real fear was that the fire could easily have spread as the ground in and around the park is particularly vulnerable given the dry weather conditions of the past week.
Gardaí are investigating the cause of the fire, which is understood to have been started deliberately, and anyone with information is asked to contact them on 064-6631222.
The blaze came dangerously close to the national park boundary but the exhausted fire crews put their own lives at risk when battling relentlessly to prevent is from spreading.
Firefighters from several stations throughout Kerry rushed to the scene to provide back-up to the local crews.
Concerned authorities believe that a series of mystery fires within the boundaries of Killarney National Park in recent weeks have been started deliberately, possibly by irresponsible farmers illegally burning gorse.
Several blazes, some spiraling out of control, have occurred at various locations in the Muckross area and further along on the main road from Killarney to Moll’s Gap.
In one incident 100 acres of national park land was scorched and the fires destroyed plant and animal life.
One national park source said there is no doubt but that the recent fires were started deliberately and the fear is they could continue until those responsible are caught and punished.
