Air Corps fly to aid firefighters
THE IRISH AIR Corps engaged in a cross border mission to help firefighters tackling a massive blaze just north of the Louth border with Armagh last week.
Helicopters from the Air Corps were seen flying back and forward across the border last week as they responded to a request from the Northern Ireland Fire Service to assist in the efforts to put out huge gorse fires at Slieve Gullion in South Armagh.
The fire burned for a number of days at the Slieve Gullion mountain, just two miles across the border from Louth.
The blaze became extensive, covering around 100 acres and was burning close to a designated area of special specific interest.
A spokesman for the Defence Forces confirmed on Tuesday last that they responded to a request from the Fire Service of Northern Ireland, deploying Air Corps assets to combat wildfires in the Slieve Gullion area.
‘ Thus far, over 90,000 litres of water has been dropped on the flames, making considerable inroads in controlling the blaze.’
Minister with responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe also confirmed that approval was given for Air Corps involvement following the request.
The approval was granted following contact between the Defence Forces, the Department of Defence, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
A spokesman said that DFAT officials had liaised with the British authorities to ensure ‘all necessary permissions were in place for the Air Corps to cross the border.’
The air corps helicopters caused a flurry of activity in the skies over Dundalk as they landed at Aiken Barracks to refuel during their cross border efforts and took off again to head northwards across the border.
The Argus understands that the air corps drew water from Carlingford Lough and Camlough Lake in South Armagh to carry and drop over the huge blaze.
The massive cross border campaign, and the return of some rainy conditions in the middle of last week helped to quell the flames.
Minister Kehoe said the Air Corps remained on standby to respond to requests for assistance with fires caused by the hot weather.
‘ This deployment is the latest example of how our Defence Forces and Air Corps are assisting other agencies to ensure communities are kept safe.’
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its own extensive efforts to tackle the huge blaze which was visible from roads north of Dundalk.
Fire crews battled the fires with four appliances, specialist wildlife resources and all-terrain vehicles are at the scene.