The Irish Chief Fire Officers Association has described the outbreak of gorse, bog and forest fires throughout the country as ‘unprecedented’ as 100s of its personal battled blazes across the nation.

Scores of fires started in Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo, Longford, Cavan, Roscommon, Offaly, Louth, Westmeath, Clare, Galway and Mayo.

Speaking ahead of the CFOA Annual Conference and Technology Exhibition in County Limerick tomorrow, CFOA vice chairman, Adrian Kelly ‘condemned’ people who had started fires deliberately.

He said: “Such reckless actions have placed the lives of both members of the local community and also Firefighters at risk.

“The geographical spread of separate incidents across the country is has placed a huge strain on services in the affected counties.

“Many of the fires broke out over the weekend have been controlled at this stage but efforts are continuing to contain other fires.

“A combination of strong winds and the continuing dry conditions exacerbated the situation by causing fires to spread, particularly across Donegal.”

Forecasts of rain look for tomorrow (May 4) should help fire fighters tackle the blazes.

Luke Walsh

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