Helicopters en route as Kerry fire crews battle large wildfire at Killarney National Park
Fire crews in County Kerry, Ireland, are battling a large wildfire in Killarney National Park, with helicopters deployed to protect historic oakwoods. Authorities have closed the N71 road and advised the public to avoid the area due to high winds and fire risk.
Why it matters
Wildfires pose a significant threat to biodiversity and protected natural heritage sites, requiring urgent emergency management.
Several fire service units from Killarney and surrounding towns in Co Kerry are battling a large wildfire in the Five Mile Bridge/Moll’s Gap area of the Killarney National Park.
Helicopters from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) were dispatched to the scene. Two later arrived to help protect some of the oldest oakwoods in Europe.
The area was devastated in April 2021 and the oakwoods narrowly avoided serious damage.
The fire spread along a wide area on Tuesday evening and concern was mounting due to strengthening winds in the Muckross/Killarney area.
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