UPDATE. Officials Say Wicklow Gorse Fire Was Started Deliberately

Wicklow’s Chief Fire Officer says he believes a gorse fire near Lough Dan last night, which threatened property and forestry in the area was started maliciously.

A number of units from Wicklow Fire service were helped by locals and staff from Wicklow National Park to tackle the fire, which is understood to have started at around 6 o’clock yesterday evening. It was eventually brought under control by half past ten last night.

The fire broke out at a grazing area within the National Park, but occurred outside of the closed season for burning which ended at the end of February.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service says the fire covered a wide area and that there will be a loss of wildlife.

Speaking to East Coast FM’s Morning Show, Chief fire Officer Aiden Dempsey said the fire was clearly started deliberately but finding those involved can prove difficult.