Rail services between Bray and Greystones suspended due to scrub fire damage

Published by Niall Sargent on July 13, 2018July 13, 2018

July 13th, 2018

Emergency services are still working to extinguish a fire on Bray Head that has caused the train service between Bray and Greystones to be suspended.

The line between the two commuter towns will stay closed this evening as Iarnród Éireann works to repair damage caused by the fire to signal and telecoms cabling.

Wicklow Fire Service said this afternoon that it was still trying to extinguish the fire, with access to Bray Head proving difficult.

As smoke is heading over Bray town, the fire service has advised residents to stay indoors with the windows closed.

The fire started in front of a tent at around 1am last night and spread along the steep ground east of the cliff walk, according to Wicklow Fire Service.

Still trying to extinguish the fire on Bray Head, very difficult access. Smoke is heading over Bray town, the effects are reduced by staying indoors with windows closed. pic.twitter.com/CgforBrWCp
— Wicklow Fire Service (@FireWicklow) July 13, 2018

Gorse fires rage across the country

Numerous gorse and grass fires have ignited during the hot, dry weather, with firefighters across the country battling blazes over the past few weeks.

A fire caused massive damage to a bog near the Sally Gap in the Wicklow Mountains last week, while firefighters worked for over six days to contain a large forest fire on the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

A fire has caused massive damage to a bog near the Sally Gap in the Wicklow Mountains. pic.twitter.com/ugtnSzb0VD
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) July 3, 2018

One family had a lucky escape recently in the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains after becoming trapped on the Old Military Road when a change in wind direction reduced visibility. The family were forced to abandon their vehicle, which was later found burned out by the fire.

The Department of Agriculture said that the fire risk is “compounded” by high levels of ignitions activity and “observed fire behaviour” associated with current weather conditions.

“DAFM advise at this point that all outdoor use of fires, barbeques and other open ignition sources be avoided on forest lands and in other high-risk areas until further notice,” the statement reads.

“Extreme caution is also advised with respect to haymaking and the use of machinery and other agricultural activity that may also present a risk of fire in dry vegetation on cultivated land types in current conditions.”

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