12/05/2025
Renewed Call For Vigilance As Wildfire Risk Remains High
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS), and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have issued a joint appeal for public vigilance due to the high risk of wildfires during the current warm and dry spring weather.
The call for heightened awareness comes as a multi-agency response, led by NIFRS, continues to tackle a significant wildfire in the Slieve Beagh area of County Tyrone.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir highlighted the severity of the situation: "The current fire near Clogher is another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage. The fire in Counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat."
With dry conditions expected to persist into the weekend and beyond, Minister Muir pleaded with the public: "Remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the Police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires. Those who know the individuals involved must come forward and help us apprehend the culprits wreaking destruction across our countryside."
He added: "Once ignited, fire can spread rapidly, especially in areas with dead grasses, gorse, forestry and heather. Large areas can become engulfed in a very short period of time putting life, property and wildlife at real risk. This activity must stop before someone is killed or injured." NIFRS Area Commander Barry Ross also urged public cooperation: "With the dry weather set to continue over the next few days we are asking the public to support their Firefighters by staying safe from fire in the countryside. Dealing with wildfires is not only challenging and physically demanding for our Firefighters, it is extremely resource intensive for our Service and partner agencies. If you are enjoying the weather this weekend, please do so responsibly and follow our safety advice."
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson warned of the legal consequences: "Gorse fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife, as well as threatening homes, farms and the people living in those areas. The unpredictability of fire can also mean that those causing them may be putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them."
He continued: "I would remind the public that deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence and if you see anyone setting a fire you should contact us immediately. Anyone caught deliberately setting a wildfire will be prosecuted to the full extend that the law allows."
The public is strongly advised to exercise common sense when in the countryside and to avoid lighting fires of any kind while the wildfire risk remains high. Consideration should also be given to parking, ensuring access for emergency vehicles is not blocked near nature sites. If a fire is sighted, individuals should not attempt to tackle it themselves but report it immediately to NIFRS.
Farmers and landowners are reminded that the prescribed burning window has now closed. Extra caution is also advised with the use of machinery and other agricultural activities that could pose a fire risk in dry vegetation. Operators should ensure machinery is well maintained and heat insulation is intact.
The call for heightened awareness comes as a multi-agency response, led by NIFRS, continues to tackle a significant wildfire in the Slieve Beagh area of County Tyrone.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir highlighted the severity of the situation: "The current fire near Clogher is another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage. The fire in Counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat."
With dry conditions expected to persist into the weekend and beyond, Minister Muir pleaded with the public: "Remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the Police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires. Those who know the individuals involved must come forward and help us apprehend the culprits wreaking destruction across our countryside."
He added: "Once ignited, fire can spread rapidly, especially in areas with dead grasses, gorse, forestry and heather. Large areas can become engulfed in a very short period of time putting life, property and wildlife at real risk. This activity must stop before someone is killed or injured." NIFRS Area Commander Barry Ross also urged public cooperation: "With the dry weather set to continue over the next few days we are asking the public to support their Firefighters by staying safe from fire in the countryside. Dealing with wildfires is not only challenging and physically demanding for our Firefighters, it is extremely resource intensive for our Service and partner agencies. If you are enjoying the weather this weekend, please do so responsibly and follow our safety advice."
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson warned of the legal consequences: "Gorse fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife, as well as threatening homes, farms and the people living in those areas. The unpredictability of fire can also mean that those causing them may be putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them."
He continued: "I would remind the public that deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence and if you see anyone setting a fire you should contact us immediately. Anyone caught deliberately setting a wildfire will be prosecuted to the full extend that the law allows."
The public is strongly advised to exercise common sense when in the countryside and to avoid lighting fires of any kind while the wildfire risk remains high. Consideration should also be given to parking, ensuring access for emergency vehicles is not blocked near nature sites. If a fire is sighted, individuals should not attempt to tackle it themselves but report it immediately to NIFRS.
Farmers and landowners are reminded that the prescribed burning window has now closed. Extra caution is also advised with the use of machinery and other agricultural activities that could pose a fire risk in dry vegetation. Operators should ensure machinery is well maintained and heat insulation is intact.
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