Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir has urged landowners in Northern Ireland to refrain from any prescribed burning in the remaining open season window to help firefighters respond to ongoing incidents.
The minister’s comments come after a weekend of 150 separate wildfires reported in the Mourne Mountain range and a ‘major incident’ declared by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).
Minister Muir described the the weekend’s wildfires as “abhorrent” and thanked the NIFRS, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and others for their ongoing efforts.
“I am extremely disappointed to learn that fires continue to be deliberately lit in the Mournes. We need to call it what it is – it’s rural arson and it puts lives at risk.
“It also has a devastating impact on wildlife, flora and fauna, risks livestock, impacts on residents and businesses and causes untold damage,” Minister Muir said.
Burning
The minister said that everyone must play their part in “reducing the burden” on emergency services, with the open season burning open until April 14. He reminded the public “to exercise common sense and take care of our natural environment”.
The minister said that the fires are putting lives at risk, while also endangering homes and farms.
As an amber weather warning remains in place for wildfires across Northern Ireland, the NIFRS is appealing for the public to stay vigilant to the risk of fire in the countryside at this time.
“If anyone is going out into nature in the coming days, you must think of the potential consequences of your actions and don’t even think about lighting a fire or BBQ,” Minister Muir said.
DAERA has been supporting the efforts with NIEA teams on site with specialist All-Terrain Vehicles with portable pumps deployed over the weekend to help manage and contain the fires.
NIEA has been part of a multi-agency response to wildfires since 2013 as part of the East Mournes Wildfire Project.
