Northern Ireland wildfires: Over 350 firefighters deployed to fires across 6,200 acres this week
Over 350 firefighters have been deployed to "devastating" major wildfires across 6,200 acres of Northern Ireland in the past week, it has been revealed.
Four Stormont ministers have issued an unusual joint statement to condemn the "unsustainable" waste of public resources, damage to the environment and risk to property and life in what are often considered to have been arson attacks.
First and Deputy First Ministers Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little Pengelly, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, who has responsibility for the Fire Service, called for public support in halting the crisis.
Last week Mr Muir warned that the wildfires were likely, bearing in mind the hot and dry weather forecast for this week.
Then on Saturday fires broke out across the Mourne Mountains, including near Hilltown and Newcastle, causing apocalyptic scenes in the night skies above Newcastle.
The week saw further fires spring up in the Mournes, Dungiven and Crossmaglen.
On Thursday evening a major blaze was reported in Brookeborough in Co Fermanagh, while firefighters were still battling smaller blazes across the Province.
At the height of the incident - resolved on Thursday night - 85 Firefighters from 14 different Fire Stations tackled a fire front of 1.5 miles.
NIFRS Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Marcus Wright said said that the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has deployed more than 350 firefighters to "significant wildfires" this week.
"These firefighters came from right across Northern Ireland," he told the BBC. "We would prefer if the firefighters were at home to respond to incidents in their local area."
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the wildfires in the Mournes have left "a trail of devastating damage and demanded a major emergency response".
She added: "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 was "truly devastating" to see the scenes in the Mournes.
"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," she said.
Minister Nesbitt said that from last Saturday until Thursday evening, NIFRS tackled six significant wildfires, with 65 Fire Service vehicles deployed and over 300 crew attending the incidents. He estimated that approximately 2500 hectares or 6,200 acres of land has been damaged.
"This level of impact is shocking and quite frankly unsustainable," he added.
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said they were “deeply concerned”.
“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," he said.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said the fires pose a significant risk to the environment, homes, farms and residents.
They are usually caused by "carelessness and inattention, out-of-season agricultural practices, or malicious fire setting".
Anyone responsible for arson can expect to be arrested and prosecuted, she added.
The Met Office says Saturday will start dry but develop heavy showers, with a maximum temperature of 17C. Sunday will be cloudy with a chance of showers while Monday will have sunny spells and a few showers, with temperatures reaching 14C.