Firefighters escalate effort to tackle huge blaze in the Mourne Mountains

Firefighters in Northern Ireland are escalating their battle against a major gorse fire in the Mourne Mountains.
By Cate McCurry
Published 24th Apr 2021, 08:58 BST
Updated 24th Apr 2021, 11:18 BST
Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large gorse fire in the Slieve Donard area of the Mourne Mountains for the second day. People have been asked to stay away from the area to allow crews to concentrate on the blaze. The fire is on the lower slopes of Slieve Donard, the Glen River Valley and Thomas Mountain. Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press.Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large gorse fire in the Slieve Donard area of the Mourne Mountains for the second day. People have been asked to stay away from the area to allow crews to concentrate on the blaze. The fire is on the lower slopes of Slieve Donard, the Glen River Valley and Thomas Mountain. Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press.
Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large gorse fire in the Slieve Donard area of the Mourne Mountains for the second day. People have been asked to stay away from the area to allow crews to concentrate on the blaze. The fire is on the lower slopes of Slieve Donard, the Glen River Valley and Thomas Mountain. Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press.

The blaze in the Slieve Donard area started in the early hours of Friday morning.

Dramatic images of the Co Down peak ablaze have sparked concern, with First Minister Arlene Foster tweeting: “This is devastating and tragic. The impact on wildlife and flora is unimaginable. Full support to those battling the flames.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis described the scenes as “deeply distressing” at one of the region’s most beautiful landmarks. He paid tribute to the fire fighters at the scene.

1 Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large gorse fire in the Slieve Donard area of the Mourne Mountains for the second day. Picture: Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press.1 Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large gorse fire in the Slieve Donard area of the Mourne Mountains for the second day. Picture: Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press.
1 Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large gorse fire in the Slieve Donard area of the Mourne Mountains for the second day. Picture: Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Press.

On Saturday morning the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the are escalating their operations in the Mournes, and described a “large number of resources” in attendance.

The NIFRS has urged the public not to gather in the area, and told walkers to avoid the Newcastle side of Slieve Donard.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokesperson said the operation to tackle the fire is expected to be ongoing across Saturday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Police would ask that all members of the public avoid the Newcastle area, in particular Trassey Road, Bloody Bridge, Tollymore Forest Park and Donard Carpark to ensure NIFRS have full accessibility to these areas,” they said

A firefighter on Slieve Donard on Saturday morningA firefighter on Slieve Donard on Saturday morning
A firefighter on Slieve Donard on Saturday morning

“We understand many people will have made plans to walk the Mournes today but we would ask that you reschedule as you will be turned away upon arrival.”

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said there had been hope the blaze could be contained on Friday, however light winds had spread the flames.

“By the afternoon of Friday there were some 60 brave firefighters doing their best to maintain the blaze, with the smoke visible from as far away as Downpatrick,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I pay tribute to their bravery and determination. Sadly, this will not only have a devastating impact on the natural landscape but the local economy of Newcastle that relies so heavily on the tourist product we associate with the Mournes.”

Related topics:Northern IrelandBrandon Lewis