FIRE SERVICE PAY TRIBUTE TO LOCAL COMMUNITY
LOUTH Fire services have paid tribute to the local community for their support as firefighters battled blazes across the Cooley Peninusla over the last two weeks.
In what was a difficult few weeks for firefighters, Louth’s Chief Fire officer, Eamon Woulfe said: ‘I would like to acknowledge the generosity of the local community, many of whom called with food and drinks to the Incident Control Unit at Jenkinstown church. Also a fast food outlet from Carlingford, a pizzeria in Dundalk, and a coffee concession outlet that were equally generous to the fire service.’
He outlined how another large fire started in Rockmarshall forest on Tuesday evening last. ‘ This was located in the upper part of the forest in a different location than previous fires. It spread from this part of the forest west towards the Jenkinstown/Omeath road and also east to extensive gorse in Annaloughan over Lordship.’
The blaze resulted in ‘a very long fire front developed from
Rockmarshall to the summit of Slievenagloch. Carlingford, Dundalk fulltime and retained brigades and Ardee brigade were mobilised.’
The Chief Fire Officer said the immediate priority was to safeguard properties near Lordship (Annaloughan) below the gorse fire front.
‘A fire tender and water tanker were positioned at a house which was close to the fire front and a water dam was also set up. When the gorse fire front approached the house, the fire crews kept the fire at bay. There were also similar fire service operations at other houses.’
The following day, Wednesday 3rd June, the fire service operation continued at a further two houses which were threatened by the fire near Rockmarshall Wood.
‘Fire service fire tenders and water tankers were set up for fire fighting operations at these houses and fought the blaze and beat back the fire front.
Later that day there was a change in wind direction and the fire spread from Slievenagloch towards Lordship. Fire service tenders and water tankers were placed at a number of houses that were close to the fire front. The fire crews managed to halt the advance of the fire.’
‘ That night the fire spread on the western side of Slievenagloch towards the upper part of Rockmarshall Wood. The fire service formed a defensive line along the road at the Northern side of Slievenagloch and prevented the fire from spreading across the road.’
He added that the Coillte helicopter was also in attendance on Wednesday 3rd June dealing with hot spots in the forestry.
The following day the Air Corps helicopter was mobilised but its operations were limited due to low cloud cover.
On Friday last, the fire spread northwards down Slievenagloch towards forestry.
‘ The Fire Service and the Air Corps were in attendance and succeeded in halting the advance of the fire. The Civil Defence drone was also in attendance and was of benefit to the fire service in planning its operations,’ said Mr. Woulfe.