Cumbria 'extreme wildfire risk' warning issued by fire service
A spokesman for the service said: "If you spot a wildfire, get to a safe place and call 999, telling us as much as you can about the location - What3Words is very helpful."Also the direction of the fire and what is burning."When the wildfire risk has reduced the warning notices will be taken down."He added that, with dry conditions forecast, it was important to be wary and protect the "beautiful Cumbrian landscape".
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In a statement Lough Neagh Rescue Service says the excessive weed growth has become a significant issue, and that the organisation has serious safety concerns for all users of the says it is seeing a rise in incidents involving vessels experiencing engine failure or loss of propulsion after propellers and water intakes become fouled by the dense weeds – and that these incidents are particularly prevalent in and around the lough's marinas and in connecting waterways, including the River Bann and Lough says beyond the risk to boating, the service believes the current situation poses a serious and direct risk to swimmers – and that the potential for a person, including children, to become entangled in the thick, submerged weeds is significant and presents a very real danger of drowning. Lough Neagh Rescue Service says it would strongly advise against swimming in areas where this weed is Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland says it is aware of the matter and is currently making enquiries and that it cannot comment on individual cases. Basic maintenance The sailing club recently held a meeting between berth holders and the council. Eoin Tennyson MLA for Upper Bann was there and said Lough Neagh is the jewel in the crown for the local community."Clearly there have been huge issues - not just over recent summers with blue green algae but with basic maintenance in terms of weeds not being done," he said. "The big challenge with Lough Neagh is that there are an amalgamation of bodies with some semblance of responsibility - be that in terms of navigation – be that in terms of water quality – be that in terms of councils and the maintenance of local marinas – and often we see this game of pass the parcel between different agencies," he said. "This is basic maintenance – this is the bare minimum that these berth holders ought to be able to expect – and so we will be pressing the council very strongly to stop neglecting this area and give it the investment that it needs." Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council says it is continuing to monitor the site and carry out essential repairs as required, while considering longer-term repair options at the said its officers are working on a number of proposals, to be brought to committee next month, to deliver substantial repairs to the jetties at Kinnego Marina to extend the lifespan of the the meantime, it says, officers are continuing to work closely with Lough Neagh Sailing Club to manage the aquatic weeds under council responsibility. Nicole McKelvie is the club welfare officer for Lough Neagh Sailing Club and says in general she feels there has been neglect when it comes to looking after the marina in the past number of years."You hear everybody talking about the algae bloom and we thought that was going to be the main issue to stop us from getting out sailing – but it's actually the weed control here at the marina and things like the jetties collapsing."People can't get berths."
