Huge wildfire near Mourne Mountains treated as arson

Yahoo

06-04-2025

A huge gorse fire in County Down which led to the evacuation of homes in the vicinity of the Mourne Mountains is believed to have been started deliberately.
A major incident was declared after the large wildfire broke out on the Sandbank Road in Hilltown about 17:00 BST on Saturday.
More than 100 firefighters with 15 appliances worked throughout the night to bring it under control.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the blaze stretched for approximately two miles, including a large area of forestry and it was close to property.
The fire service told BBC News NI that a small number of nearby residents had been asked to leave their homes overnight.
Chief Fire Officer Aidan Jennings said the conditions had been very difficult, with high winds complicating efforts to dampen the blaze.
"The cause of this fire is believed to have been deliberate," he said.
"I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our firefighters, control room operators and support staff who have worked tirelessly in recent days to ensure the safety of our community across Northern Ireland."
The fire service began to reduce resources at the site at about 03:00 BST.
The blaze came after the National Hazards Partnership issued an amber wildfire warning this weekend, highlighting the likelihood of fires that could be difficult to control.
Meanwhile, the police said the Slievenaman Road, Newcastle, is closed on Sunday due to another gorse fire in the Mournes.
Ott car park is also closed and members of the public, including road users, are asked not to travel to the area.
NI Water said Silent Valley Mountain Park, would be closed until further notice due to wildfires.
Ciaran Diamond of NI Water said: "We know how much our visitors love Silent Valley and, earlier this week, we had partially reopened the park in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
"However, NI Water must ensure public safety so the park will be closed from today Sunday 6th April 2025 until further notice.
"We would like to reiterate our appeal to the public to be vigilant. Wildfires not only pose a risk to human life, wildlife and the environment but also our drinking water catchment areas."
Mr Jennings from the fire service said that from midnight on 3 April to midnight on 5 April the fire service received a total of 741 calls into its regional control centre.
"We are asking the public to remain particularly vigilant to the risk of fire at this time. We can reassure members of the public that normal service delivery is being maintained," he said.
The main Hilltown to Rostrevor Road and Sandbanks Road were closed for a number of hours but have since reopened.
Multiple wildfires have been reported in the Mourne Mountains in recent weeks.
Some of them are thought to have been started deliberately.
The minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, described the blazes as having a devastating impact on the environment and wildlife.
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