'These attacks must stop': More than 300 firefighters dispatched to battle wildfires across Northern Ireland in five days
The number of firefighters sent to extinguish wildfires over five days this week is in excess of 300.
The health minister Mike Nesbitt made the announcement in a statement jointly from him, the First and Deputy First Ministers, police, farming minister, and fire brigade.
There are roughly 1,800 firefighters in all in Northern Ireland (meaning 300 equates to roughly 17% of the total).
That 300 figure does not include those battling fires today in Dungiven, Co Londonderry, and Co Fermanagh.
Mr Nesbitt said: “From April 25 to April 29, 2026, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) was involved in resolving three significant wildfire incidents, with 65 fire service vehicles deployed and over 300 crew attending the incidents.
"It has been estimated that approximately 2,500 hectares of land [roughly 10 square miles] has been impacted.
"This level of impact is shocking and quite frankly unsustainable. As of today, that is six significant wildfires.
“These wildfires threaten public health, devastate important habitats, impact local livelihoods and place unacceptable pressure on emergency and health services.
"Where they are started deliberately, those responsible should face criminal penalties.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant, to report any fires immediately to NIFRS, to share any information about suspicious activity with the PSNI, and to follow the advice of emergency services at all times.
“To address this ongoing risk, a Wildfire Action Plan has been launched, focused on prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement.
"These destructive attacks must stop, and by working together we can protect our communities, and safeguard precious habitats such as the Mournes for future generations.”
Though at least some of the blazes are thought to have been started deliberately, the fire brigade and the government generally refer to them as wildfires.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said hailed the “courage, professionalism and commitment” of the firefighters and said: “I would appeal to those involved to reflect on the serious harm this is causing to our communities and environment and to stop.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “It is truly devastating to see the scenes emerging from the Mourne Mountains.
"These fires pose a real risk to life and have left communities living in fear and are destroying precious natural habitats and putting immense strain upon our emergency services.
“We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful countryside here in Northern Ireland, and I would urge those responsible for these wildfires to stop and consider the consequences of their actions.”
Agriculture minister Andrew Muir said: “We stand together in condemning these deliberate acts and in expressing our full solidarity with local communities, landowners, environmental organisations, emergency responders and volunteers who are working tirelessly to protect this special and iconic landscape.”
Assistant fire chief Marcus Wright said firefighters are facing “challenging conditions to bring these wildfires under control, whilst responding to other emergencies”, and PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said police have been “meeting several times daily to lend any support we can to their efforts”.
She added: “Whilst at this time it is not possible to ascribe a definitive cause to individual fires, more often than not they are caused by human activity - whether through carelessness and inattention, out-of-season agricultural practices, or malicious fire setting.
"Where it is found that a wildfire has been maliciously started, it will be fully investigated by police and when identified those responsible can expect to be arrested and prosecuted.”