**Major incident in the Mourne mountains with the Irish Irish Defence Forces tasked to help image by - Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service**

BREAKING NEWS

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service has declared a major incident in the Mourne mountains in the last hour with a huge gorse fire out of control.

Firefighters continue to battle a huge gorse fire in the Slieve Donard area for a second day.

Irish Defence Forces to assist in the fighting the fire

Approval has been granted for Irish Defence Forces to assist in the fighting the fire.

They will be deployed to assist in bringing water to the site.

The blaze in the Slieve Donard area started in the early hours of Friday morning.

Dramatic images of the County Down peak ablaze have sparked concern, with the first minister, Arlene Foster, tweeting: “This is devastating and tragic. The impact on wildlife and flora is unimaginable. Full support to those battling the flames.”

The secretary of state for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, described the scenes at one of the region’s most beautiful landmarks as “deeply distressing”. He paid tribute to firefighters at the scene.

On Saturday morning the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said crews were escalating their operations in the Mournes and said a “large number of resources” were in attendance.

The NIFRS has urged the public not to gather in the area and told walkers to avoid the Newcastle side of Slieve Donard.

Colin McGrath, the Social Democratic and Labour Party MLA, said there had been hope the blaze could be contained on Friday, however light winds spread the flames.

“By the afternoon of Friday there were some 60 brave firefighters doing their best to maintain the blaze, with the smoke visible from as far away as Downpatrick,” he said.

“I pay tribute to their bravery and determination. Sadly, this will not only have a devastating impact on the natural landscape but the local economy of Newcastle that relies so heavily on the tourist product we associate with the Mournes.”

A Code Orange risk is currently in place this weekend and early next week for the island of Ireland.

CONDITION ORANGE: HIGH FIRE RISK BE PREPARED

Warning Effective From 1200hrs 22/04/2021

Effective Period Expires 1200hrs 26/04/2021

Arising from current high pressure dominated weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist. This risk phase is expected to peak on Friday, April 23rd.

Based on recent fire activity, ignition risks appear to be focussed on areas with public access, particularly active turf cutting and peatland sites. The relaxation of some Covid-19 requirements mean that members of the public can now travel within their respective counties and higher visitor activity levels at recreational sites can be expected in line with fine weather. Members of the public intending to visit forests and other recreational sites are reminded to adhere to regulations introduced to limit the spread of Covid-19. Vehicles must not be parked at site entrances or impede emergency service access to forest roads. Forest visitors should not use barbeques or open fires at any stage

Fire behaviour and spread rates are likely to be influenced by lower afternoon humidity levels and moderate to fresh easterly winds in many areas. There is potential for wind speeds to reach or exceed the critical 30km/h threshold in several regions and this will significantly increase suppression difficulties in all fuel types. Due caution is advised.

Advice to the General Public/Forest Visitors

Members of the public and visitors to recreational areas should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.

Where fire outbreaks occur at or near recreational areas the following actions should be taken by visitors in the interests of safety.

1. Do not light fires in and around forests or open land.

2. Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances.

3. Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car

park, upwind of the fire.

4. Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location.

5. Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service Instructions.

BE PREPARED. BE VIGILANT. STAMP OUT FOREST FIRES