Smoke from Tyrone wildfire visible from space

With a weather warning remaining in place for wildfires across all of Ireland this weekend, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is continuing to tackle a wildfire in Ballagh Road, Clogher, County Tyrone.

NIFRS says there is currently 10 Fire Appliances and approximately 50 Firefighters at the scene.

The blaze, which also spread into parts of Monaghan on Thursday evening, was visible from space as the Copernicus Sentinel_2 satellite passed over Ireland at midday.

Smoke from the fire could be seen drifting northwestward toward Donegal.

NIFRS Western Area Commander David Doherty said, “As the good weather continues, we are urging the public to support our appeal to protect yourselves and our countryside from fire. Please act safely, be responsible and be vigilant.”

“Wildfire incidents are not only challenging and physically demanding for our Firefighters, it is extremely resource intensive for our Service and partner agencies who are working in high temperatures,” he added. “We would like to reassure the public that contingency plans are in place and we will continue to respond to incidents across Northern Ireland should the public need us. Very often these fires are started deliberately. Purposely setting a wildfire is a criminal offence. If you see a fire or see someone intentionally setting a fire please report it immediately by calling 999.”

A Status Orange High Forest Fire Risk Warning has also been introduced for the Republic of Ireland and will remain in place until midday on Monday.

Landowners are being reminded to fully comply with restrictions on land burning during this period.

Under Irish law, the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of vegetation growing on “any land not then cultivated” is prohibited between 1st March and 31st August annually.