The current spate of gorse fires that have led to the fire service having to tackle a number of major blazes over the past number of weeks continued last weekend.
Following on from fires in Castlebar, Westport, Foxford, Louisburgh, Kiltimagh, and Ballinrobe in the previous week, last Saturday night a major gorse fire broke out in the Belcarra/Clogher area.
Gerry McHale, of McHale Caravans, Cabins and Marine, told the Mayo Advertiser: “It was one of the most stressful nights I have ever had.” The fire, which overtook areas of bog land and gorse land, came very close to Mr McHale’s business premises and had to be tackled by four units of the fire brigade, three from Castlebar and one from Ballinrobe, which battled the fire from 8pm to 2.30am on Saturday night/Sunday morning according to Mr McHale.
