Watch: Coast Guard helicopter joins fire crews tackling Barnesmore wildfire

As the sun sets off Donegal on Sunday evening, a huge cloud of smoke hangs over Barnesmore and the mountains around Lough Eske.

Reflected in the smoke is the ominous orange glow of the wildfire that rages in the hilltops. It's remote path means that conditions are difficult and dangerous for the firefighters who are facing into a long night as they try to bring the inferno under control.

They are being assisted by the Coast Guard helicopter crew, who are collecting water from a nearby mountain lake and dropping it onto the flames.

And still the fire spreads, devouring the tinder-dry heather and gorse that grows thickly on these mountains.

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The fire was spotted at around 5pm, on a hill to the rear of a number of homes just on the Donegal Town side of Barnesmore. It spread quickly, leaving people fearful of damage to property, but thankfully a change in the direction of the wind brought it away from homes which at one point had been just yards from the flames. 

With gorse igniting and sending sparks into the wind, the fire continued to spread at an alarming speed,  leaving only charred hillside in it's wake. Lines of flames snaked over the summit, spreading to the other side of the hill and into ever more remote landscape. 

Parts of this area are used for grazing sheep, and it is not yet clear if there has been any loss of animals. There are also concerns for the welfare of wildlife.

Efforts to bring the fire under control continue through the night.

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