Fire crews battle large wildfire in Killarney National Park

Emergency services are responding to a large wildfire in the Five Mile Bridge and Molls Gap area of Killarney National Park in County Kerry. The Irish Times and Breakingnews.ie both reported that several fire service units alongside helicopters from the National Parks and Wildlife Service were sent to tackle the blaze. Kerry County Council closed the main N71 road between Molls Gap and Muckross House on Tuesday evening. [1][2]

According to Breakingnews.ie, Minister of State Christopher O O'Sullivan stated that the fire was caused by human activity and not nature. Two helicopters later arrived to help protect some of the oldest oakwoods in Europe as concern grew over strengthening winds in the Muckross and Killarney area, the Irish Times reported. [1][2]

Killarney National Park was created in 1932 when the Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish Free State. Managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the park encompasses over 102.89 square kilometres and contains oak and yew woodlands of international importance, as well as the only red deer herd on mainland Ireland. [3][5]

The area previously suffered devastation from a fire in April 2021, during which the native oakwoods narrowly avoided serious damage, according to the Irish Times. [1]