NI Water is reminding the public of the significant risk of landscape fires in mountainous areas, particularly around Silent Valley, as warmer spring weather arrives. These fires can ignite easily in dry vegetation and spread rapidly to underlying peat, creating extremely challenging conditions for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).

The warning follows a devastating accidental fire in April 2025, which destroyed over 5km² of protected habitat within Silent Valley. Beyond the immediate threat to life and wildlife, these incidents pose a serious risk to the region's drinking water catchments.

NI Water's Catchment Liaison Officer explained the impact on the water supply: "A water catchment is where water is collected by the natural landscape into rivers, lakes and streams. NI Water control 24 drinking water catchments supplying water to all of Northern Ireland. NI Water always works hard to deal with the problem of landscape fires and we can assure customers that tap water quality is unaffected and is of a very high quality. "However, landscape fires within these areas not only pose a terrible risk to all life but removes the primary layer of vegetation, leaving the burned bare soil exposed to erosion which then makes its way into the reservoirs which is treated to become our drinking water. These fires can also have a devastating impact on habitats and wildlife. Visitors are therefore reminded to look out for signage at entrance points to Silent Valley indicating if a yellow, amber or red warning has been issued in line with relevant weather warnings."

To protect the environment and public safety, visitors are asked to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Fire Safety: Avoid using open fires, do not set campfires on open ground, and refrain from using disposable BBQs.

• Waste Disposal: Extinguish cigarettes properly and never throw them from car windows. Take all rubbish home and avoid fly-tipping.

• Emergency Response: If a fire is spotted, gather your group and move to a safe, fuel-free area upwind. Do not attempt to fight the fire yourself.

• Reporting: Call 999 to report a fire and its location to the NIFRS. If you witness anyone deliberately setting fires, report it to the PSNI immediately, as this is a criminal offence.

The Catchment Liaison Officer added: "Landscape fires not only pose a risk to human life, wildlife, property and the environment, but also to our drinking water catchment areas."