Wildfire escalates in Mourne Mountains

More than two thirds of emergency calls received by the fire service in Northern Ireland on Monday related to wildfires.

Firefighters continue to respond to multiple wildfires having been mobilised to 148 reported incidents of fires.

The wildfire in the Bloody Bridge area of The Mourne Mountains has escalated to 8 Fire Appliances with over 50 Firefighters now battling the blaze, according to Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

It is expected that firefighting operations will continue in the Bloody Bridge area throughout Tuesday.

Both wildfires in the Sawel Mountain area of Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone and on the Carncullagh Road in the Dervock, County Antrim, area have now been dealt with.

In a statement, NIFRS stated, “We are appealing for the public to please stay away from the area and avoid hill walking in the mountains around the Bloody Bridge area. If you live in the Newcastle vicinity please keep your windows and doors closed.”

“An amber weather warning remains in place for wildfires. Please follow our fire safety advice and stay vigilant to the risk of fire in the countryside. If you see a fire please call 999 immediately,” it added.

Meanwhile, a nationwide Status Orange ‘High’ Forest Fire Risk Warning for the Republic of Ireland has been extended until next Monday.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has requested landowners and the public to avoid all outdoor fires and other open ignition sources.

Kerry and Mayo fires

The past 48 hours have seen fires break out in North Mayo and South Kerry.

Kerry Fire and Rescue Service responded to a large gorse fire between Sneem and Kenmare on the Iveragh Peninsula on Monday night.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area due to poor visibility as the Fire Service attempted to extinguish the fire.

Two popular County Mayo walking trails have been closed to the public after they incurred significant damage from two separate wildfires.In the latest incident, units from Mayo Fire Service attended a large blaze at Wild Nephin National Park on Sunday evening.The fire was brought under control on Monday afternoon by the Fire Service, with the assistance of personnel from Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).