A significant gorse fire in Sandyford near the townland of Barnacullia was successfully extinguished on Sunday evening, thanks in large part to the collaborative efforts of Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) and Coillte. The fire, which had started earlier in the afternoon, posed a serious threat to the surrounding area and caused widespread disruptions.
Dublin Fire Brigade announced on social media that the blaze was finally under control around 9:30 PM. The fire had initially sparked considerable concern as it spread rapidly, with strong winds driving smoke across a wide area, making the situation more perilous.
One of the most crucial elements in controlling the gorse fire in Sandyford was the involvement of a Coillte helicopter, which played a pivotal role in dousing the flames. The helicopter was deployed around 6:30 PM, dropping water over the affected area for several hours. DFB expressed their gratitude to Coillte, noting that the aerial support allowed āgreat progress to be madeā in containing the fire.
During the operation, up to 4,000 homes in the Tallaght and Dundrum areas experienced power outages as the flames damaged power lines. However, thanks to the quick response from the ESB, the affected homes were switched to a different power line, and electricity was restored within approximately 90 minutes. By Sunday evening, ESB crews were still assessing the extent of the damage.
The fire was attended by six units of Dublin Fire Brigade, including two water tankers, which managed to bring the situation largely under control by late afternoon. Despite the fire being confined to a relatively small area, it generated a significant amount of smoke, which was visible across large parts of Dublin. As a precaution, local roads such as Woodside Road and Slate Cabin Road were temporarily closed to traffic.
Residents in the area were advised by both the DFB and local councillor OisĆn OāConnor to stay indoors and close their windows due to the heavy smoke. The situation prompted hundreds of calls to DFB from concerned citizens.
An Garda SĆochĆ”na was also present at the scene, assisting fire services. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries related to the gorse fire in Sandyford.
This incident highlights the ongoing risks posed by gorse fires during dry weather conditions and underscores the importance of rapid response and inter-agency cooperation in managing such emergencies.
