Northern Ireland Fire Service Deploys 95 Firefighters to Ballagh Road, Sandbank Road Wildfires
Firefighting operations in the Mourne Mountains are expected to "continue across the week," according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS). Approximately 95 firefighters are engaged in tackling wildfires in the Ballagh Road, Newcastle, and Sandbank Road, Hilltown areas.
NIFRS has reiterated its appeal for the public to avoid these areas, noting responses to several smaller wildfires in Belfast, Armagh, Lurgan, and Rathfriland. With a wildfire weather warning still active, the service advises continued vigilance and immediate reporting of fires to 999.
Martin McMullan, a Mourne Mountain Rescue team co-ordinator, criticised the lack of accountability for those responsible for recurring wildfires. McMullan stated that weekend fires "definitely didn't look like they started from a recreational source," given their inaccessible starting points. "This happens year after year... and there's no consequences for those that are undertaking these actions," he added.
Stormont's Agriculture and Environment Minister, Andrew Muir, condemned rural arson as a crime, highlighting the "real and significant" impact on lives, communities, and natural habitats. He urged anyone with information regarding deliberate fires to contact the police.
While fires on the eastern Mournes appeared to have subsided, McMullan cautioned that western fires could still be smouldering. He explained that fires can burn underground for extended periods, making them unpredictable. The recent fires, fuelled by abundant gorse and heather due to a lack of previous blazes, spread rapidly, threatening properties along the Coast Road and Donard Forest in Newcastle. A caravan park was evacuated as a precaution.
Forever Mournes, a partnership dedicated to protecting the mountains, expressed deep concern. They noted that fires inflict long-term damage on ecosystems, significantly reducing biodiversity and impacting vital insect populations. The Mournes supply drinking water for much of Northern Ireland, with fires jeopardising farmers' livelihoods and tourism.
A new wildfire action plan, released by the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in April, outlines a coordinated strategy to enhance resilience and reduce the frequency and severity of fires.
