A fire has reignited on Slievenamon in Co Tipperary after emergency services were stood down overnight as the wildfire appeared to have been brought under control.
However, fire and rescue services received a call at 7.15am on Tuesday that the blaze on the mountain appeared to have reignited.
They had been tackling the wildfire since Monday of last week, aided by the Air Corps as well as local residents and farmers. Locals reported seeing plumes of smoke in the skyline near the Killusty side of the mountain.
Acting senior assistant chief fire officer in Tipperary, Carol Kennedy, confirmed the blaze had started again on the southeast side of Slievenamon.
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In a statement, Tipperary County Council said: “The overall situation on Slievenamon remains stable ... Crews will continue to manage these isolated hotspots as part of the ongoing response effort.
“Outbreaks of fire activity such as those experienced this morning are to be expected following a wildfire event of this scale. Coillte crews are also managing these situations, supported where necessary by emergency services.”
The council said all reports of smoke or flare-ups would be assessed and responded to as required by emergency services.
“Members of the public can be reassured that there is currently no risk to life or property arising from this incident. The public is thanked for its continued co-operation and support.”
A GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to replace items stolen from the vehicles of firefighters in Co Tipperary has been halted after it exceeded the target.
The fund had hoped to raise €10,000 to cover the cost of replacing tools and items stolen from the vehicles of firefighters at Cahir fire station who were on duty fighting the wildfires at Slievenamon. It closed when it reached €13,500.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incidents of theft and criminal damage to the vehicles parked on Barrack Street, Cahir, on Saturday between 12.30am and 1.30am.
Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Barrack Street at the time and who may have camera footage are asked to make this footage available to investigators.
Meanwhile, a local councillor has called for measures to be introduced following the theft from cars while fire crews were dealing with the blaze.
Independent councillor Andy Moloney called for barriers to be introduced at fire stations at Monday’s meeting of the Cahir Cashel municipal district.
Moloney said the thefts from cars was a “low blow” to the firefighters and that their vehicles were left vulnerable when they responded to the wildfire at Slievenamon.
