The Irish Air Corps helicopters carried out aerial water dumps on a large fire in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in early July amid record dry weather, dropping more than 18,000 gallons on July 5 alone.

This footage, shot on July 5, shows a helicopter releasing its load on the fire below. The Defence Forces said it was the eighth day they had deployed aircraft to help fight wildfires.

The Irish Independent reported on July 4 that the country had experienced the driest June in 80 years. No rainfall was recorded in most of the country in the two weeks up to July 5 and, with another two weeks of dry weather expected, water conservations were extended nationwide on July 6.

Air support was continuing as of July 7 and authorities were urging people to avoid the Slieve Bloom Mountains, RTE reported Credit: Irish Defence Forces via Storyful