The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are requesting that everyone remain alert to wildfires this spring.
Mark Smyth, group commander at NIFRS emphasized that, “Dealing with wildfires unnecessarily draws our resources away from where they are needed most – protecting our community. They also cause significant damage to wildlife and the environment. With the dry weather set to continue over the next few days we are asking the public to support their firefighters by not starting fires in the countryside.”
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots added that: “We all saw the damage that was done in the Mournes last year and must take action to avoid any repeat of this. Everyone needs to act responsibly and remain vigilant to wildfire.”
Any ignition source can easily result in a wildfire which spreads quickly, especially in areas with dead grass, gorse, forestry and heath. The Minister highlighted that, “Large areas can become engulfed in a very short period of time and may be hazardous to human life, property and wildlife,”
Deliberate setting of wildfires remains a criminal offence, and anyone sees setting a fire, they should call the PSNI.
Farmers and land managers are advised to take all necessary precautions to ensure that any prescribed burning within the remaining burn period (until 14 April) does not turn into a wildfire incident.
When considering prescribed burning it must be done in a controlled manner and under careful supervision. Prior to any prescribed burn, Northern Irish farmers are advised to contact NIFRS headquarters to alert them and discuss the details and to subsequently notify NIFRS when burning operations have been completed.
The public are also urged to exercise common sense in the countryside: Never leave BBQs and camp fires unattended and when finished extinguish camp fires fully and take portable / disposable BBQs home after use and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to block access for emergency vehicles.