Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford, has again urged people to by hyper-vigilant when it comes to gorse fires.
He said: “A fire was started last week at the country park and due to the lack of rain, the ground really is like tinder and the fires are spreading very quickly.
“Last week, a fire which is reported to have been maliciously started spread so quickly that golfers had to be asked to leave Scrabo Golf Club. We must always be careful in our beautiful forests to ensure that we are sensible with anything that can cause fires and most especially in this dry weather.
“We all want to enjoy the forests and woodland areas – that is why we are so keen to preserve them – however just one cigarette butt or match could wipe it out.
“I want to sincerely thank the NI Fire and Rescue Service who worked hard over a long period of time to bring the fire under control, prevent it spreading and see it put out. We are tremendously grateful for their tremendous work and ability that has brought what could so easily have been an horrific situation under control.”
