SOLDIERS, firemen and civilians joined forces to bring a forest fire in Co Sligo under, control yesterday.
Firemen from Sligo town Tubbercurry and Manorhamilton, backed up by soldiers from Finner Camp and a large number of local people, fought the huge blaze in the scenic Slish Wood area, near Ballygawley.
Up to 1,000 acres of forestry was saved from the fire which spread over, three miles of heather and gorse.
Mr Gerry Riordan of Coillte said the blaze was one of the most serious ever in the northwest, and prompt action had prevented a "huge environmental disaster".
In a separate outbreak, about 30 acres of forestry was burned at Dowra, on the Cavan Leitrim border, on Monday night.
The blaze was brought under control by firefighters from Ballyconnell, Carrick on Shannon, Drumshambo and Dowra. Some homes had to be evacuated for a while.