The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has confirmed that several significant wildfires across the country have been successfully extinguished following days of intensive operations.

Operations at Sandbank Road, Hilltown, have concluded after the initial call was received at 9.01am on Sunday 26 April 2026. This incident saw approximately 50 Firefighters working to contain a blaze that expanded across 1,500 hectares. The site was finally cleared at 10.40am on Thursday 30 April 2026, and the cause remains under investigation.

In Newcastle, crews have also dealt with a wildfire at Chimney Rock Mountain. That incident began at 12.12pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026, requiring 45 Firefighters to battle a 600m fire front. This blaze was confirmed as extinguished on the morning of Thursday 30 April 2026, with an investigation into the cause currently underway.

Additionally, a fire at Cranny Road, Mullaghbawn, Crossmaglen, which was reported at 2.11pm on Wednesday 29 April 2026, was resolved by 9.21pm that same evening. Roughly 30 Firefighters were involved in extinguishing the 8-acre fire, which is believed to have been started by deliberate ignition. While these incidents have been resolved, NIFRS personnel remain active at Polly’s Brae Road, Dungiven. Currently, approximately 30 Firefighters are tackling a fire front of roughly 500m, and members of the public are being urged to avoid the area.

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) spokesperson said: “The wildfires in Sandbank Road, Hilltown, Chimney Rock Mountain, Newcastle, and Cranny Road, Crossmaglen, have now all been dealt with.

“There is an amber weather warning in place for wildfires today so please remain vigilant and follow our fire safety advice. If you see a fire, call 999 immediately.”

Please adhere to the following advice to prevent fires in the countryside:

• Avoid using open fires in the countryside. An open fire can easily get out of control.

• Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.

• Only use barbeques in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended.

• Ensure barbeques are fully extinguished and cold before disposing of their contents.

• Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodland or grassland. Take them home or dispose in a waste or recycling bin.

• Be considerate in parking vehicles so you don’t impede access for emergency vehicles.

• Keep children away from lighters, matches and open fires.

• Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be extinguished with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible.

• If you see a fire in the countryside, report it to NIFRS immediately by calling 999.

• If you see someone setting fires, report it to the PSNI.