The battle to contain a major gorse fire in Barnesmore Gap is continuing tonight.
It is understood the blaze started at the rear of houses on the Donegal Town side of the mountain shortly after 6pm this evening.
Attempts to quell the fire were boosted by the arrival of a helicopter at around 8pm. The helicopter is carrying water from a nearby lough in an attempt to douse the fire, which has spread to a wide area.
A helicopter drops water over a gorse fire in Barnesmore Gap.
A number of units of the Fire Service from all over south Donegal are currently on site, and were joined later in the evening by the Ballybofey brigade.
There are concerns that the blaze could spread to nearby homes, and to a major Coillte plantation on the Glenfin side of the Bluestacks.
Gardaí and fire personnel were on site all evening along with Donegal County Council’s Director of Emergency Services, Garry Martin.
County Donegal has seen a stretch of unseasonably mild and sunny weather recently, with the council issuing a Status Orange gorse fire warning prior to this weekend.
More to follow.
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