AN INVESTIGATION IS underway after a large fire broke out in the mountains between Dublin and Wicklow, amid claims that the fire was lit “intentionally”. 

In a post to social media last Friday, the Wicklow Mountains National Park said that a fire in the mountains on Thursday was not caused by “a glass bottle, cigarettes, or a barbecue”.

“This fire was lit intentionally, destroying hundreds of hectares of habitat and all associated animals and insects and plants within it.”

In a statement to The Journal, a spokesperson from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said that in the early hours of Thursday 28 May, the NPWS and the Dublin Fire Service were called to a fire on an open hillside at Piperstown in the Dublin Mountains.

The NPWS noted that these lands are within the jurisdiction of the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Around 66 hectares of the national park was burnt, despite the best efforts of firefighters, including use of multiple fire tenders and two helicopters.

The NPWS added that houses and a forest plantation were at risk, and that smoke impacted local air quality and traffic as far as the M50.

Dublin Fire Service meanwhile said strong winds had caused “whirling vortices” while firefighters tackled the blaze.

The NPWS spokesperson also noted that legislation bans the cutting, burning or destruction of vegetation in hedges, ditches, or uncultivated land from 1 March to 31 August each year and that there are no exemptions.

This restriction aims to reduce wildfire risks during nesting season and periods of dry weather.

“Breaches of the wildlife legislation may constitute a wildlife crime and are subject to investigation and prosecution,” said the NPWS.

It added: “As this matter is under investigation, NPWS has no further comment at this time.”

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said he was “devastated for the team at Wicklow Mountains National Park”.

“They do such an amazing job protecting and restoring these beautiful habitats and vulnerable species,” he added.

“It’s heartbreaking to see something like this happen at any time, but particularly during nesting season which is such an important and hopeful time for the survival of many birds and wildlife.”

O’Sullivan said the “message is clear”.

“Don’t light fires in nature, it’s as simple as that.

“Illegal, uncontrolled fires like this endanger communities, put emergency services and NPWS staff under huge pressure, damage our environment and have devastating, lasting consequences for nature.”

O’Sullivan added that over the coming weeks, “our ‘eyes in the sky’ will be busy with aerial surveillance” and that “when we see nature under threat, we will act”.

Wicklow Mountains National Park was approached for comment.

Wicklow County Council was also approached for comment but said the issue was “outside of its remit” and that “acts of suspected criminality are a matter for An Garda Síochána”.

A Condition Orange fire risk was in place at the time of the fire.