Wildfires brought under control in Armagh, Derry and Fermanagh

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) says it has brought wildfires in counties Derry, Fermanagh and Armagh under control.

The Service said its Regional Control Room received 259 calls yesterday, 53 of the 149 calls mobilised involved wildfires.

In the first incident of Thursday, firefighters were called to reports of a gorse fire on Friary Road in Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.

Five Fire Appliances and 25 Firefighters extinguished the blaze shortly after 7.15 p.m.

Firefighters were also called to a report of 25 acres of gorse on fire at 4.48 p.m. on Corrick Road, Draperstown, County Derry.

Five Fire Appliances, the Command Support Unit and Specialist Wildfire teams brought the blaze under control shortly after 9.30 p.m.

Firefighters were also called to reports of a 1-mile fire front gorse fire on the Bunnisnagapple Road, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, at 9.22pm yesterday evening.

Three Fire Appliances and 15 Firefighters attended the scene.

A NIFRS spokesperson said, “With the weather warning still in place, we are appealing to the public to adhere to our fire safety advice. Please stay vigilant to fire in the countryside. If you see a fire, call 999.”

Heavy showers are expected across Northern Ireland from Sunday, with further rainfall next week.