Gardaí and the National Parks and Wildlife Service are investigating the circumstances of the blaze.
The Minister for Heritage is hitting out at those responsible for illegal wildfires in Laois over the weekend.
Gardaí and the National Parks and Wildlife Service are investigating after a blaze broke out in the Slieve Blooms near Ballyfin on Sunday afternoon.
Fire crews from Mountrath, Rathdowney, Mountmellick and Portlaoise were required, using beaters and blowers to put out the fire due to limited water supplies.
Minister Darragh O'Brien has condemned the illegal fire, which spread over 4 kilometres, damaging habitats and putting emergency services and local residents are risk.
People are reminded the burning of gorse is banned between March 1st and August 31st.
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