Some 95 firefighters are continuing to battle wildfires on the Mourne Mountains in Co. Down that started over the weekend.
In a statement today (Monday, April 27), Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed that fires were continuing in some areas on the mountains.
A spokesperson for the service said: “NIFRS is continuing to tackle wildfires in the Ballagh Road, Newcastle, and Sandbank Road, Hilltown, areas of the Mourne Mountains, with approximately 95 firefighters in attendance at both incidents.
“Firefighting operations are expected to continue across the week and so we are reiterating our appeal for the public to avoid these areas,” the service spokesperson said.
“Across the weekend, firefighters also responded to a number of other smaller wildfires in Belfast, Armagh, Lurgan and Rathfriland,” the spokesperson added.
“As the weather warning for wildfires remains in place, NIFRS is reminding the public to stay vigilant to the risk of fire in the countryside. If you see a fire, call 999 immediately,” they said.
Also commenting on the fire, Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Andrew Muir said: “I am very concerned to see the Mournes ravaged by wildfires and would echo calls from [the] fire service and police for people to stay away whilst fire fighting continues.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said in a social media post yesterday (Sunday, April 26): “Please stay away from the Mournes today. The Fire and Rescue Service are currently dealing with gorse fires in the area and have asked that anyone planning to hike in the area, stay away for the duration of the day while they deal with the issue.”
Sinn Féin has also reacted to the fires, with their South Down MP Chris Hazzard expressing his gratitude to the emergency services.
He urged the public to strictly adhere to safety warnings.
Hazzard said: “Once again, our fire crews are showing incredible bravery and dedication, working in difficult conditions to protect the heart of the Mournes.
“These mountains are a precious natural resource and a site of immense beauty, and it is devastating to see hectares of vegetation destroyed by fire yet again,” he added.
“With a yellow wildfire warning currently in place, I am appealing to everyone, locals and visitors alike, to stay away from the affected areas to allow the emergency services to do their jobs safely.
The NIFRS has asked people to adhere to the following advice:
- Avoid using open fires in the countryside, as an open fire can easily get out of control;
- Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows;
- Only use barbeques in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended;
- Ensure barbeques are fully extinguished and cold before disposing of their contents;
- Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodland or grassland;
- Be considerate in parking vehicles so you do not impede access for emergency vehicles;
- Keep children away from lighters, matches and open fires;
- Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be extinguished with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible;
- If you see a fire in the countryside, report it to the fire service;
- If you see someone setting fires, report it to the police.