Video: R287 between Dromahair and Sligo remains closed as efforts continue to fight fire

Sligo County Council have issued an update in relation to the gorse fire at Killerry mountain on the Sligo/Leitrim border which covers an approximate are of 4,000 acres.

The R287 road from Dromahair to Sligo remains closed and will remain closed until it has been deemed safe for it to re-open.

Two houses were protected from the blaze last night with the Coast Guard helicopter deployed to assist with efforts in containing the fire.

An update issued by Sligo County Council said, "All four Sligo stations are committed (approximately 42 operational personnel) – we are currently rotating the crews from and to the incident – while providing standby crews to ensure fire cover in Sligo and the outer stations."

Neighbouring brigades are not in attendance at the moment but overnight crews from Leitrim and Donegal provided assistance.

Dramatic videos and images of the fire were posted online which give an indication of the scale of the fire.

Our poor #animals who have #died in this #fire today ,Special Thoughts to the #firefighters and #rescueservices who are battling this blaze.#staysafe #sligo #westofireland #ireland #slishwood#fire #forestfire #firefighter #animallover#heartbreaking#animallover#rescue #firefighter#firebrigade#woodland #sad

A post shared by Caroline Wimsey (@caroline_wimsey) on May 3, 2017 at 6:04pm PDT

It's a scary sight from a distance, thoughts are with the fire fighters out there tackling the blaze. #sligo #ireland #ire #wildfire #fire #landscape

A post shared by CONDOH Photography (@condohphoto) on May 3, 2017 at 5:10pm PDT

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Gorse fire blazes near Ballintogher in Co. Sligo. Photo taken from the shoreline at Hazelwood. #sligo #fire

A post shared by Robert Cullen (@cullenster) on May 3, 2017 at 3:43pm PDT

Update Gorse Fire : Crews have managed to protect 2 houses & in process of protecting forestry. Coast Guard chopper mobilised to assess fire pic.twitter.com/xrbFcELcY3

— Sligo County Council (@sligococo) May 3, 2017

From the Clock Tower City Hall Sligo of the gorse fire at Ballintogher 14k away-hats off to all emergency services and volunteers #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/jjRyH6TJfp

— Cllr Marie Casserly. (@Marie_Casserly) May 3, 2017