SHOVELS AND WATER tankers are being used since early this morning to quell an ongoing fire in Killarney National Park in Co Kerry. 

The fire, which has been burning for four days, burned through over 20 hectares of the park on Tuesday.

It is suspected to have been ignited by a disposable barbecue, which was used on a ledge overlooking the Long Range area of the park.

Brought under control after six hours, it has proved more difficult to contain than anticipated.

People working to extinguish the fire in the park this morning. valerie O Sullivan valerie O Sullivan

Early this morning, flare-ups were continuing and fire personnel as well as staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service were in action in the Five-Mile Bridge area.

The N71 Molls Gap to Muckross Road through the Killarney National Park, which was again closed on Thursday afternoon because of a threat to safety of passing traffic, is currently open.

But the popular tourist route may have to be closed again, Kerry County Council has warned.

Helicopters with bambi buckets – 800 litres of water – were also recalled to the area.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area between Moll’s Gap and Torc Waterfall/Muckross House.

Mary Sheehan, NPWS regional manager, and Brendan Lynch, NPWS fire crew, working to extinguish the fire. valerie O Sullivan valerie O Sullivan

Vincent Horgan, acting director of roads with Kerry County Council, said the situation was “very unpredictable”.

Underground fires, wind and the warm weather had led to flare-ups close to the N71 on Thursday, he said.

“It has proven to be very unpredictable,” Horgan said.

Oak, heath and bog have been affected and the concern is for the large swathes of ancient oak woodland which runs from the Cromaglan of the Five-Mile-Bridge.

Monitoring is taking place by the Kerry County Council, the fire service, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The public is urged not to light fires in the park.