Police taking tough measures to clamp down on epidemic of wildfires in countryside
The police are going to get tough with countryside arsonists using a wide range of methods to catch the arsonists and to protect people and property especially across the Mournes area which has carried the brunt of the environmentally catastrophic fires.
District Commander for Newry Mourne and Down Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “In recent days we have seen a number of significant gorse fires across the Mournes, some of which we believe have been started deliberately.
“These wild fires pose a real and present threat to the homes, farms, and lives of the people in the areas affected, not to mention the widespread devastation they are causing to our environment, and the untold harm being done to native wildlife and habitats.
“The unpredictability of these wild fire also means that those setting them are risking the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them, and they may be putting their own lives at risk as well.
“We have implemented dedicated patrolling and are utilising all the capabilities of our Air Support and other specialist units to survey the Mournes to help us locate potential suspects, spot any fires early, and alert those who may be at risk or in any imminent danger.
“We are liaising with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to try to determine which fires have been maliciously started and people who are found to have deliberately set any of these fires should be under no illusion that they will face legal consequences for their reckless actions.”
Superintendent Haslett added: “My admiration, respect and heartfelt thanks at this time must go to the fire crews and search, rescue personnel and local police officers, who are, and have been for many days, working tirelessly in their efforts to deal with the fires and ensure the safety of our whole community.”
***
Mourne Fire Prevention Plan must be priority for DAERA – Hazzard
Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard MP has called on the Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir to urgently prioritise the long overdue delivery of a Mourne Fire Prevention Plan, as fires have once again engulfed large swathes of the Mournes in recent days.
The South Down MP was speaking following confirmation from Minister Muir on Monday (on BBC Radio Ulster) that his department have failed to deliver upon a public commitment made to the wider Mourne community following the 2021 fires that a fire prevention management plan would be delivered.
Speaking from the Mournes, Chris Hazzard said: “Four years on from the devastating fires in 2021 we are facing widespread environmental devastation in the Mournes yet again as a result of fire.
“Whilst the persons who set the fires bear ultimate responsibility for the damage caused, there is no doubt that the failure to establish a Fire Prevention Management Plan for the Mournes is a significant failing that needs urgently addressed.
“Moreover this plan must be appropriately resourced, and published in partnership with the local community – including those agencies such as the Mourne Heritage Trust, whose staff and volunteers are increasingly stretched beyond breaking point as the Mournes continues to bear the brunt of climate change, natural disaster, and rising visitor numbers.
“The minister’s public positionxa0this morningxa0- where he placed responsibility for the delay on the shoulders of his department’s officials – simply won’t cut it.
“The Mournes urgently need a Minister showing leadership and a determination to work with Executive colleagues in order to secure the necessary resources, and finally deliver upon the commitments made to the people of South Down.
Chris Hazzard added: “I have also asked the DAERA minister to launch an immediate review of the proscribed ‘burn period’ in which landowners are legally allowed to use controlled burning to manage the countryside.
“It is clear that a review is urgently required, not merely to explore a more appropriate timeframe, but perhaps more importantly the effectiveness of the accompanying regulations and safeguards that are supposed to protect vulnerable habitats from the type of environmental devastation we have witnessed in recent days.”
***
Mournes Councillor Willie Clarke brings Motion To Council On Mournes Fires
Mournes Councillor Willie Clarke has brought a motion to Newry Mourne and Down District Council.
The motion reads: “This council voices their grave concern over the most recent spree of gorse fires across the Mourne Mountains.
“This council acknowledges the devastating impact these fires have had on our rural countryside and will write to DAERA Minister calling on him to bring forward a comprehensive management plan.
“This council commends the work of local authorities in combating these devastating fires, with firefighters from across the North battling the flames to protect life and property. Recognises the ongoing preservation work from The Forever Mournes Partnership.”
Speaking to the motion he said: “The deliberate wildfires in the Mourne Mountains are nothing short of a heinous act against nature and our community.
“These fires not only devastate the beautiful landscapes and habitats that countless species call home, but they also pose severe risks to human life and property.
“The intentional destruction of such a precious natural resource is utterly reprehensible and cannot be tolerated.
“It is imperative that those responsible are held accountable for their actions, and that we strengthen our efforts to prevent such senseless acts of environmental vandalism in the future”
He added that in April 2021, people watched in horror as fire ripped through the Mournes. He said: “We were promised prompt action and a comprehensive fire prevention and management plan to ensure such devastation could never happen again.
“But, here we are, facing the same nightmare. The Mournes are on fire once more, causing massive damage and posing significant risks to life and property.
“Terrified people have been evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night.
Four years on, we still lack the robust fire prevention management strategy that was pledged. The communities around the Mournes, organizations like Mourne Heritage Trust, National Trust through the Forever Mournes partnership, carry out peat restoration. Sphagnum moss, a common component of peatlands, soaks up significant quantities of water like a sponge.
“Blocking up drains has created pools and invited an array of wetter plants. All of this contributes to a wetter environment, where it’s far less likely that fire will take hold, this type of work needs to increase beyond the Slieve Donard catchment area.
I want to express my thanks and gratitude to the fire and rescue personnel who have battled 146 fires sincexa0Thursday midnight, in difficult terrain and conditions all weekend to get these blazes under control.
“The emergency is far from over – the Mournes are still burning as we speak.
“As we approach the Easter holidays, we need to be vigilant regarding BBQs, fires in our beauty spots we need council and other statutory and environmental organisations to work in partnership to ensure the Mournes are respected by visitors and locals alike.
“We need a management plan to control burns in a strategic way, working with landowners, trustees of the Mournes, the Forever Mournes Partnership, working with DEARA to carry out preventative works including installing fire breaks, removal of large gorse areas, increasing support for wetlands in a phased manner, dealing with the priority areas, to provide a sustainable mosaic of habitat to reduce the fuel load that irresponsible fires thrive on.
“The regulations, safeguards, and enforcement mechanisms are clearly not working. How many more fires? How much more damage to the Mournes? How much longer do we have to wait?
“I” am calling on the Minister who in my opinion is passionate in relation to the environment, to urgently review the current ‘burn period’ and to deliver on the promise of a fire prevention and management plan for the Mournes.
“This is not just about protecting our natural heritage. It’s about safeguarding communities, biodiversity, and the future of our environment. The ongoing fires pose severe risks to health, the environment, and the species that inhabit these lands.”
The Mournes councillor said that the Mournes are home to a variety of species, many of which have been severely impacted by the fires. Ground-nesting birds, including red grouse, common lizards, and numerous invertebrates which have perished in the smoke and flames. The destruction of habitats and the impact on our tourism product are significant concerns.
