Aerial surveillance to tackle gorse fires in Galway
Fire brigade units from all over the county were involved in trying to contain a major gorse fire on the Curraghline that burned for nearly two days last week – Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan has announced increased drone and helicopter surveillance as a preventative measure for such fires.
The fire stretched over tens of acres and at different times raged on both sides of the road with smoke from heather, gorse and rubbish, leading to the N84 Headford Road being closed for a number of hours by Gardaí last Thursday, April 28.
It is now being investigated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), because the site is a habitat for the critically endangered curlew.
Gardaí decided to close a stretch of the Curraghline – close to McGaugh’s Garden Centre – on Thursday of last week over road safety concerns caused by the smoke from the blaze reducing visibility on the Headford Road.
Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan has said there will be increased ground and aerial surveillance presence in Galway as a preventative measure for gorse fires.
He said he supported a full investigation by Gardaí into the causes of a major fire at Curraghline – an important habitat for breeding waders, including the curlew.
The Minister said the NPWS takes these matters very seriously and in recent weeks announced increased surveillance using drones and helicopters on key natural heritage sites and Ireland's National Parks.
“This Galway fire is devastating news for all involved in conservation efforts to save the Curlew, particularly those invested in the Curlew EIP [European Innovation Conservation Project] at Curraghline."
Minister Noonan added that there will be increased aerial and ground surveillance as a preventative measure.
This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the story, see the May 6 edition of the Connacht Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.