<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The Irish Independent reported on July 4 that the country had experienced the driest June in 80 years</a>. No rainfall was recorded</a> 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</a>.</p><p>Air support was continuing as of July 7 and authorities were urging people to avoid the Slieve Bloom Mountains, RTE reported</a> Credit: Irish Defence Forces via Storyful</p><br />
