Firefighters from several fire stations in Co. Wexford responded to a significant fire in a field near Enniscorthy at the weekend.

It is understood that a tractor and baler also caught fire before the blaze was brought under control.

The fire occurred in a field in the area of Coolree, near the village of Kiltealy, a short distance from Enniscorthy.

The alarm was raised at around 5:40p.m on the evening of Saturday (August 8). Firefighters were on the scene within 25 minutes.

On arrival they found a large fire in a field, with a tractor and baler also on fire.

It is understood that no one was injured in the fire.

Fire brigade units from Enniscorthy, Gorey and New Ross responded to the incident, with some 20 firefighters involved. Two tankers were also at the scene to provide water.

It is understood that the fire was brought under control by 9:00p.m that evening.

It was subsequently determined that some 10ac of land had been burned.

It is understood that farmers and other locals in the area provided assistance to bring the blaze under control.

Sources said that the Co. Wexford fire service had an extremely busy weekend, with some 60 call-outs over a three-to-four day period.

In another separate incident earlier the same day, a combine harvester was destroyed in a field fire near Gorey.

High temperature warning

Co. Wexford is one of the counties included under a Met Éireann Status Yellow warning for a high temperature issued this morning (Tuesday, August 11).

The warning will cover all counties in Leinster, as well as Co. Tipperary.

The waring is due to come into force at 6:00a.m tomorrow morning (Wednesday, August 12), and will remain in place until Friday (August 14) at 6:00a.m.

The national forecaster said maximum temperatures in excess of 27° are being forecast for these counties, along with overnight values above 15°.

Met Éireann said the conditions may lead to heat stress, animal welfare issues, uncomfortable sleeping conditions and water safety issues due to increased use of beaches, lakes and rivers.