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08/05/2017
Fire Service Issues Warning Over Gorse Fires
Nearly all gorse fires attended by emergency services since the beginning of May have been started deliberately, according to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS).
The organisation has been called out to more than 200 gorse fires since the start of this month and it is thought nearly all of the incidents have been started on purpose.
The warning comes as the popular Cuilcagh Mountain trail walk in Co Fermanagh was shut today, 08 May, due to a heather fire burning on Cuilcagh Mountain. NIFRS are attending the scene.
Area Commander, Maurice Rafferty, said the current spell of dry weather has "provided a tinderbox landscape with conditions ripe for gorse fires".
"We have already dealt with the first gorse fires of the year so we are appealing to the public, and young people in particular, to support their fire and rescue service by acting responsibly," he said.
"Tackling gorse and wildland fires is extremely challenging for us. It means deploying Firefighters and equipment to remote locations. This can be for prolonged periods of time with our Crews working under hazardous and intense heat to bring the fires under control. These fires can easily spread and even a slight change in wind direction can pose a serious risk to life, property and the environment.
"It's not just the larger fires on hillsides and mountains that impact upon resources, the smaller fires involving grass and bushes also need to be dealt with quickly as they have the potential to spread and develop into bigger fires. Attending such incidents puts additional pressure on our people and our resources.
"We are appealing to everyone within the local community to be aware of the dangers and consequences of deliberate fire setting. It ties up our vital resources from other more serious incidents and potentially puts people and property at risk."
(LM/MH)
The organisation has been called out to more than 200 gorse fires since the start of this month and it is thought nearly all of the incidents have been started on purpose.
The warning comes as the popular Cuilcagh Mountain trail walk in Co Fermanagh was shut today, 08 May, due to a heather fire burning on Cuilcagh Mountain. NIFRS are attending the scene.
Area Commander, Maurice Rafferty, said the current spell of dry weather has "provided a tinderbox landscape with conditions ripe for gorse fires".
"We have already dealt with the first gorse fires of the year so we are appealing to the public, and young people in particular, to support their fire and rescue service by acting responsibly," he said.
"Tackling gorse and wildland fires is extremely challenging for us. It means deploying Firefighters and equipment to remote locations. This can be for prolonged periods of time with our Crews working under hazardous and intense heat to bring the fires under control. These fires can easily spread and even a slight change in wind direction can pose a serious risk to life, property and the environment.
"It's not just the larger fires on hillsides and mountains that impact upon resources, the smaller fires involving grass and bushes also need to be dealt with quickly as they have the potential to spread and develop into bigger fires. Attending such incidents puts additional pressure on our people and our resources.
"We are appealing to everyone within the local community to be aware of the dangers and consequences of deliberate fire setting. It ties up our vital resources from other more serious incidents and potentially puts people and property at risk."
(LM/MH)
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05 July 2018
Fire Crews Deal With Almost 600 Gorse Fires In A Week
Fire crews have tackled almost 600 gorse fires in the past week and a number of them have been started deliberately. Temperatures are rising to around 30 degrees in Northern Ireland which is making the ground extremely dry.
Fire Crews Deal With Almost 600 Gorse Fires In A Week
Fire crews have tackled almost 600 gorse fires in the past week and a number of them have been started deliberately. Temperatures are rising to around 30 degrees in Northern Ireland which is making the ground extremely dry.
09 April 2013
NI Fire Service Launches Gorse Fire Appeal
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has released an appeal to the public following the first gorse fires of the year. NIFRS is asking people to think about the consequences of deliberate fire setting in the countryside and mountains. The Service received 548 emergency calls relating to gorse fires in the first 7 days of April alone.
NI Fire Service Launches Gorse Fire Appeal
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has released an appeal to the public following the first gorse fires of the year. NIFRS is asking people to think about the consequences of deliberate fire setting in the countryside and mountains. The Service received 548 emergency calls relating to gorse fires in the first 7 days of April alone.
17 July 2001
ASSEMBLY CREATE AWARD TO HONOUR FIRE SERVICE
THE Northern Ireland Fire Service is to receive the first ever award given by the province's devolved assembly. An illuminated scroll is to be presented to Chief Fire Officer John McClelland on Tuesday, by assembly speaker Lord Alderdice in tribute to the sacrifice made by fire fighters over the years.
ASSEMBLY CREATE AWARD TO HONOUR FIRE SERVICE
THE Northern Ireland Fire Service is to receive the first ever award given by the province's devolved assembly. An illuminated scroll is to be presented to Chief Fire Officer John McClelland on Tuesday, by assembly speaker Lord Alderdice in tribute to the sacrifice made by fire fighters over the years.
15 April 2014
Firefighters Attend 2,000 Gorse Fires In Past Year
The Northern Ireland Fire Service attended over 2,000 gorse fires over the past year, with firefighters attending 387 gorse fires in the first 7 days of April 2013 alone.
Firefighters Attend 2,000 Gorse Fires In Past Year
The Northern Ireland Fire Service attended over 2,000 gorse fires over the past year, with firefighters attending 387 gorse fires in the first 7 days of April 2013 alone.
30 April 2007
Land destroyed in Mourne gorse fire
Around 50 acres of gorseland in the Mourne Mountains has been destroyed following a major fire. Up to 90 firefighters battled the blaze near Tullybrannigan which, according to the fire service, was started deliberately. It is understood it took fire crews almost seven hours to bring the fires under control.
Land destroyed in Mourne gorse fire
Around 50 acres of gorseland in the Mourne Mountains has been destroyed following a major fire. Up to 90 firefighters battled the blaze near Tullybrannigan which, according to the fire service, was started deliberately. It is understood it took fire crews almost seven hours to bring the fires under control.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
