Keeping A Cool Head

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t was back in June 1965 that an heroically-stoned Johnny Cash had a little fire mishap in Santa Barbara’s Los Padres National Forest.

By the time his little camper fire had finally run its course, the flames had spread somewhat. Over 508 acres.

It’s quite possible that a very similar accident has just occurred up on Bray Head, a suddenly out-of-control campfire being reported to Greystones Fire Brigade at 1am that morning.

It’s now 3pm on Saturday, and the battle to extinguish this 38-hour fire is still going strong, two units from Greystones joining more from Bray, plus local gardaí handling access and Air Corps helicopters scooping up seawater as the blaze is kept under control.

It’s been said many times over the weekend, but it bears repeating – the work by all of those involved in containing this two-day fire has been remarkable. And heading out the Cliff Road at the top of Windgates Hill, with flames within 20 feet of one corner house there, it’s clear that there’s still work to be done.

We managed to grab five minutes with local fireman Ciaran Hayden, who was busy coordinating the fight plan, as fresh trouble spots came in over the walkie talkie. The man has been here before…

In the meantime, here’s a special message from our local water boys.