Menu
05/07/2018
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.
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Wildfire Lead, Group Commander, Mark Smyth, said: "The current spell of dry, sunny weather is providing a tinderbox landscape with conditions ripe for gorse fires to take hold. Often the dry conditions, like we have seen in recent weeks, can lead to an increase in the number of gorse fires we attend. Whilst many of these are started deliberately gorse fires can also be caused accidentally by something as simple as throwing a cigarette from a car window, leaving a glass bottle on the ground or not extinguishing a barbecue properly. A seemingly innocent mistake could well cause a severe gorse fire that destroys acres of countryside and ties up firefighting resources for prolonged periods.
"The Fire & Rescue Service doesn't want your summer to be affected by fire or tragedy –we are appealing to the public to take simple fire safety steps, act responsibly, remain vigilant to danger and help us in our work protecting our community."
(CD/LM)
Temperatures are rising to around 30 degrees in Northern Ireland which is making the ground extremely dry.
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Wildfire Lead, Group Commander, Mark Smyth, said: "The current spell of dry, sunny weather is providing a tinderbox landscape with conditions ripe for gorse fires to take hold. Often the dry conditions, like we have seen in recent weeks, can lead to an increase in the number of gorse fires we attend. Whilst many of these are started deliberately gorse fires can also be caused accidentally by something as simple as throwing a cigarette from a car window, leaving a glass bottle on the ground or not extinguishing a barbecue properly. A seemingly innocent mistake could well cause a severe gorse fire that destroys acres of countryside and ties up firefighting resources for prolonged periods.
"The Fire & Rescue Service doesn't want your summer to be affected by fire or tragedy –we are appealing to the public to take simple fire safety steps, act responsibly, remain vigilant to danger and help us in our work protecting our community."
(CD/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
28 April 2022
Ongoing Gorse Fire On Cave Hill
A number of firefighters remain at the scene of an ongoing gorse fire on Cave Hill in north Belfast, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has reported. The NIFRS responded to reports of the wildfire on Wednesday evening.
Ongoing Gorse Fire On Cave Hill
A number of firefighters remain at the scene of an ongoing gorse fire on Cave Hill in north Belfast, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has reported. The NIFRS responded to reports of the wildfire on Wednesday evening.
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 June 2023
Dept Of Health Thank NIFRS For Wildfire Response
Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, Peter May, has given his thanks to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) for their response to recent wildfires. The Permanent Secretary thanked NIFRS while on a visit to Ballymena Fire Station.
Dept Of Health Thank NIFRS For Wildfire Response
Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, Peter May, has given his thanks to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) for their response to recent wildfires. The Permanent Secretary thanked NIFRS while on a visit to Ballymena Fire Station.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
