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09/04/2025
Police Maintain Active Patrols In Mourne Mountains
The District Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, Superintendent Norman Haslett, has strongly condemned the recent series of significant gorse fires across the Mourne Mountains, stating that some are believed to have been started deliberately.
Superintendent Haslett highlighted the severe dangers posed by these wildfires: "In recent days we have seen a number of significant gorse fires across the Mournes, some of which we believe have been started deliberately.
"These wild fires pose a real and present threat to the homes, farms, and lives of the people in the areas affected, not to mention the widespread devastation they are causing to our environment, and the untold harm being done to native wildlife and habitats.
"The unpredictability of these wild fire also means that those setting them are risking the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them, and they may be putting their own lives at risk as well."
In response to the ongoing issue, police have implemented dedicated patrols in the area and are utilising air support and other specialist units to survey the Mournes. This aims to help locate potential suspects, identify fires early, and alert individuals who may be at risk or in imminent danger.
Superintendent Haslett confirmed that police are working closely with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) to determine which fires have been started maliciously. He issued a clear warning, stating: "People who are found to have deliberately set any of these fires should be under no illusion that they will face legal consequences for their reckless actions."
Superintendent Haslett concluded by expressing his gratitude to those involved in tackling the blazes: "My admiration, respect and heartfelt thanks at this time must go to the fire crews and search, rescue personnel and local police officers, who are, and have been for many days, working tirelessly in their efforts to deal with the fires and ensure the safety of our whole community."
Superintendent Haslett highlighted the severe dangers posed by these wildfires: "In recent days we have seen a number of significant gorse fires across the Mournes, some of which we believe have been started deliberately.
"These wild fires pose a real and present threat to the homes, farms, and lives of the people in the areas affected, not to mention the widespread devastation they are causing to our environment, and the untold harm being done to native wildlife and habitats.
"The unpredictability of these wild fire also means that those setting them are risking the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them, and they may be putting their own lives at risk as well."
Superintendent Haslett confirmed that police are working closely with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) to determine which fires have been started maliciously. He issued a clear warning, stating: "People who are found to have deliberately set any of these fires should be under no illusion that they will face legal consequences for their reckless actions."
Superintendent Haslett concluded by expressing his gratitude to those involved in tackling the blazes: "My admiration, respect and heartfelt thanks at this time must go to the fire crews and search, rescue personnel and local police officers, who are, and have been for many days, working tirelessly in their efforts to deal with the fires and ensure the safety of our whole community."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
