Two homes have been destroyed in west Donegal after a major gorse fire broke out this afternoon.
Over eight fire brigade units are fighting the blaze near Annagry this evening.
The Malin Coast Guard is assisting Donegal Fire Service with its Rescue 116 helicopter.
Locals are reportedly helping the fire crews as they dampen down areas near several other houses in the area.
A number of homes have also been evacuated.
The Dept of Agriculture, Food & the Marine has issued a notice of high fire risk (Condition Orange) effective from midday today until at least midday 23 April for all areas where hazardous fuels such as gorse, heather, dried grasses exist. Read more here - https://t.co/exx4BAOrKH pic.twitter.com/TJq5m8E1lG
— Donegal County Council (@donegalcouncil) April 18, 2019
It comes just a day after Donegal County Council warned that a notice of high fire risk was in place in areas that are home to gorse, heather, dried grasses and other dead vegetation.
The council appealed to the public to take all necessary measures to prevent potential wildfires – and immediately report any uncontrolled or unattended fires.
Homeowners were urged to cut back any vegetation in the “immediate vicinity of their house, building or oil tank to prevent wildfires damaging or destroying their property.”
