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Wildfire near Killarney
The blaze began near the base of Mangerton Mountain at around 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The fire quickly spread over 100 acres across the foot of the mountain.

Fire crews from Killarney, Castleisland, Kenmare and Killorglin were deployed to the area.

It took 30 firefighters around 12 hours to bring the blaze under control.

The fire was extinguished around 6am on Thursday.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

Gardaí are investigating the cause of the fire to determine if it was started maliciously.

Firefighters estimate they have been called out to at least 50 gorse fires in the area since 1 March.

Gardaí say it is illegal to burn vegetation in the area and believe that many of these fires have been started deliberately.

Anyone found to be setting fires could be guilty of arson and face prosecution.

Assistant fire chief James Foley said that the fire came close to properties in the area.

"There is damage to the local flora and fauna and in relation to properties, it would have come quite close to occupied houses. Certainly there were properties at risk," he said.

Local resident, Brid Daly described the ordeal as "very frightening".

"The flames were very high and we could feel the heat in the car when we were travelling up and down," she said.

Deputy regional manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Pat Foley added: "It would appear as if some people burn vegetation which is illegal. It's very dry after the past few days and it takes off. We implore people not to burn vegetation."