TOURISTS ARE BEING asked to stay away from the western part of Killarney National Park because of a forest fire.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is advising members of the public to stay away from the area near Tomies Wood, where fire-fighters are currently combating a fire.

They say that this is both for their own safety and also to ensure that they do not impede the work of the emergency services.

A request has been made to the Air Corps to help fire-fighters in their attempts to extinguish the blaze.

Speaking this morning, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Minister Heather Humphreys said:

“I am informed that every effort is being made by the emergency services to get the fire at Killarney National Park under control.

“My Department is monitoring developments closely and our staff on the ground are liaising directly with the fire services who are dealing with the situation.

“I would ask members of the public to adhere to the advice to avoid the Western side of the Park near Tomies Wood.”

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