Fire Crews Deal With Almost 600 Gorse Fires In A Week

Fire crews have tackled almost 600 gorse fires in the past week and a number of them have been started deliberately.

Temperatures are rising to around 30 degrees in Northern Ireland which is making the ground extremely dry.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Wildfire Lead, Group Commander, Mark Smyth, said: "The current spell of dry, sunny weather is providing a tinderbox landscape with conditions ripe for gorse fires to take hold. Often the dry conditions, like we have seen in recent weeks, can lead to an increase in the number of gorse fires we attend. Whilst many of these are started deliberately gorse fires can also be caused accidentally by something as simple as throwing a cigarette from a car window, leaving a glass bottle on the ground or not extinguishing a barbecue properly. A seemingly innocent mistake could well cause a severe gorse fire that destroys acres of countryside and ties up firefighting resources for prolonged periods.

"The Fire & Rescue Service doesn't want your summer to be affected by fire or tragedy –we are appealing to the public to take simple fire safety steps, act responsibly, remain vigilant to danger and help us in our work protecting our community."

(CD/LM)