Across Europe, farmers are being praised for their efforts to quench fires affecting many parts of France and Spain. All last week, farmers in Tipperary helped fight the blaze on Slievenamon.

Land on fire is a phenomenon that we’re not used to in Ireland, but speaking to hill farmers over recent days, it’s something they say we need to get used to as fewer sheep on the hills are leading to increased vegetation levels and greater fire risk.

With drier summers, fire is a risk we are going to see more of in the future. We are lucky that in this instance no lives were lost or homes destroyed, but only for the bravery of fire-fighters, army and farmers it could have been different. Lessons will have to be taken to prepare for the next fire.

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