Wildfires: Silent Valley closed until further notice
NI Water has announced that Silent Valley Mountain Park will be temporarily closed due to the ongoing wildfires.
NI Water say the decision comes after emergency services declared a “major incident” in the Hilltown area yesterday evening, with firefighters still working to bring the fire under control today.
NI Water’s Ciaran Diamond said: “We know how much our visitors love Silent Valley and earlier this week we had partially reopened the Park in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
“However, NI Water must ensure public safety so the Park will be closed from today Sunday 6th April 2025 until further notice.
“We would like to reiterate our appeal to the public to be vigilant.
“Wildfires not only pose a risk to human life, wildlife and the environment but also our drinking water catchment areas.
“Activities such as littering, using disposable BBQs and burning waste increases the risk of wildfires, especially when weather conditions are breezy, so special care therefore must be taken.”
Some do’s and don’ts:
- Do not light fires in and around forests or open land
- Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances;
- If you see a fire, gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire
- Telephone the NI Fire and Rescue Service on 999 and report the fire and its location
- Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service Instructions
- If you see someone deliberately setting fires, report it to the PSNI immediately as it is a criminal offence.
Some friendly advice when enjoying your time in the countryside:
- Leave no trace; please take your rubbish with you
- Never fly-tip waste material
- Extinguish cigarettes and other flammable materials properly
- Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows
- Avoid using open fires.
