Mournes fire likely deliberate, say NIFRS after Slieve Binnian blaze extinguished
A blaze in the Mourne mountains that took 62 firefighters to put out was probably started deliberately, the Fire Service says.
The 500-metre gorse fire on Slieve Binnian was reported shortly after 7pm on Wednesday (26th), and saw six appliances race to the area, including specialist vehicles being drawn from far and wide – with at least one travelling around 100 miles to get there.
The blaze on the popular Co Down hill-walking spot was finally put out minutes before midnight, with firefighters using knapsack sprayers and beaters to extinguish the fire.
A Fire Service spokeswoman today (27th) said: “The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate ignition.
"Appliances from Newcastle, Kilkeel, Rathfriland and Downpatrick Fire Stations, including specialist vehicles from Newcastle, Ballycastle, Coleraine and Armagh Fire Stations and a Command Support Unit from Lisburn Fire Station attended the incident.”
Coleraine’s approximately a 100-mile trip from Slieve Binnian.
It was the second major incident in the area within three days, as the Mournes were also hit with a gorse fire on Monday.
Photographs of Wednesday’s fire appeared to show it blazing across a large section of the mountain, with plumes of smoke visible from a great distance.
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe said she was devastated to see so much of Slieve Binnian in flames, stating: "Here we are again looking at our beautiful mountains in shock and despair as [a] dangerous fire spreads.
"I will be asking the PSNI to increase patrols in the area, as careless behaviour in the countryside starts these fires."
In the wake of the blaze, the Fire Service issued advice on preventing fires in the country.
The emergency service said people should avoid using open fires, extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly and not throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.
Barbeques should only be lit in a suitable and safe area and never left unattended, the Fire Service added, and people need to make sure barbeques are fully extinguished and cold before disposing of their contents.
They also asked people to be considerate parkers so emergency services have a clear route; anyone who sees a countryside fire should call the Fire Service, while anyone seen setting a fire should be reported to the PSNI.