Residents of a number of counties are being asked to report any suspicious activity in relation to a spate of gorse fires.

Donegal, Clare, Limerick, Galway and Wicklow have all been affected and residents are being warned to remain vigilant and dial 999 should they see a fire, or to contact their local garda station if they wish to burn their own waste.

It is thought a number of the fires could have been started deliberately.

Chief Fire Officer with Clare County Fire and Rescue Services, Adrian Kelly, says there is an irresponsible element to the activity: