Watch: Air Corps helicopter to assist in tackling West Roscommon wildfire

An Irish Air Corps helicopter has been called in to help tackle areas in West Roscommon that are still burning and smouldering from a raging wildfire which has devastated large tracts of forestry and bogland.

The Air Corps helicopter will assist two helicopters which have been providing support since yesterday.

These smaller helicopters have been taking water from nearby Lough Errit to help extinguish areas that are still at risk of turning into major fires.

Throughout the night, fire crews from Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Ballyhaunis and Claremorris have tackled the blaze, which began at about lunchtime yesterday, Sunday.

It has burnt across a five kilometre radius in the Gorthaganny, Coney Island, Carrowbehy, Cloonfower and Granlahan areas.

Roscommon’s Chief Fire Officer John Keane explained that the Air Corps helicopter is a larger aircraft and will help dump more water on the affected areas.

He said forestry floors are still smouldering along with smaller fires  burning across boglands. 

Thick smoke is pervasive following the larger fire yesterday and the operation by fire services is expected to last several days.

Gardaí will be also tasked with establishing the cause of a fire that has caused a lot of personal and financial distress for local people.

Video credit: Seamus Crawley.