LATEST: Air corps and army personnel deployed to Slieve Bloom wildfires

The Air Corp and up to 30 members of the Defence Forces have been deployed to the wildfires raging across parts of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

A two-mile fire front is being tackled by water drops from the air and from the ground by members of the Offaly and Laois Fire and Rescue Service.

Coillte are asking people not to light fires, to report suspicious activity, report forest fires to the  local fire brigade, not to approach forest fires under any circumstance, and to keep access points and forest entrances clear for emergency services.

In the Slieve Blooms, Coillte have said:

"Please please please stay away from the area. DO NOT TRAVEL to "have a look".

"Again we cannot emphasis the importance of not disposing of cigarettes out of car windows when travelling.

"We are asking that you do not light any fires, either for farming or any other reason.

"As we are currently involved in a significant forest fire we ask the public to assist us in limiting the potential for further outbreaks."

The Cut Road between Clonaslee and Mountrath is now CLOSED.

All other feeder roads from Kinnitty, Cadamstown, Mountmellick to Slieve Blooms should be avoided.

Firefighting operations are continuing and access roads need to be maintained.

Helicopter water drops will continue.