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Mourne Mountains: Huge wildfire treated as arson Mourne Mountains: Fresh fires after huge overnight blaze
(32 minutes later)
A huge gorse fire in County Down which led to the evacuation of homes in the vicinity of the Mourne Mountains is being treated as deliberate ignition. Firefighters are tackling a number of fresh blazes in the Mourne Mountains, hours after a huge gorse fire in County Down.
A major incident was declared after the large wildfire broke out on the Sandbank Road in Hilltown about 17:00 BST on Saturday. A major incident was declared after the large wildfire broke out on the Sandbank Road in Hilltown about 17:00 BST on Saturday. A number of homes were evacuated.
More than 100 firefighters with 15 appliances worked throughout the night to bring it under control. The blaze is being treated as arson. A man has been arrested.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the blaze stretched for approximately two miles, including a large area of forestry and it was close to property. Separately, on Sunday morning, fire crews were sent to tackle wildfires in the Silent Valley and Ben Crom areas of Newcastle and are expected to be there throughout the day.
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fire.
He was arrested on suspicion of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, and non-related driving offences.
He remains in custody at this time.
Emergency services are attending the scenes of a number of other gorse fires on Sunday morning.
Silent Valley closedSilent Valley closed
On Sunday morning, the police said the Slievenaman Road, Newcastle, has been closed due to another gorse fire in the Mournes. The police said the Slievenaman Road, Newcastle, has been closed as has Ott car park, and members of the public are asked not to travel to the area.
Ott car park is also closed and members of the public, including road users, are asked not to travel to the area. NI Water said Silent Valley Mountain Park would be closed until further notice.
NI Water said Silent Valley Mountain Park, would be closed until further notice due to wildfires.
Ciaran Diamond of NI Water said: "We know how much our visitors love Silent Valley and, earlier this week, we had partially reopened the park in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.Ciaran Diamond of NI Water said: "We know how much our visitors love Silent Valley and, earlier this week, we had partially reopened the park in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
"However, NI Water must ensure public safety so the park will be closed from today Sunday 6th April 2025 until further notice."However, NI Water must ensure public safety so the park will be closed from today Sunday 6th April 2025 until further notice.
"We would like to reiterate our appeal to the public to be vigilant. Wildfires not only pose a risk to human life, wildlife and the environment but also our drinking water catchment areas.""We would like to reiterate our appeal to the public to be vigilant. Wildfires not only pose a risk to human life, wildlife and the environment but also our drinking water catchment areas."
The Silent Valley Reservoir had just finally reopened its gates to the public recently after being closed for more than nine weeks because of damage caused by Storm Éowyn. The Silent Valley Reservoir had just reopened its gates to the public recently after being closed for more than nine weeks because of damage caused by Storm Éowyn.
Police have said the Flagstaff viewpoint car park and Flagstaff Road at Cloghoge in Newry are closed due to another gorse fire in the area.
'Dedication of firefighters''Dedication of firefighters'
The fire service told BBC News NI that a small number of residents nearby the Sandbank Road had been asked to leave their homes overnight on Saturday. A road was closed in the Spelga Dam area on Sunday
Chief Fire Officer Aidan Jennings said the conditions had been very difficult to deal with the large blaze near Hilltown, with high winds complicating efforts to dampen the blaze. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the blaze at Hilltown on Saturday night stretched for approximately two miles, and included a large area of forestry and it was close to property.
More than 100 firefighters with 15 appliances worked throughout the night to bring it under control.
The fire service told BBC News NI that a small number of residents near the Sandbank Road had been moved out of their homes on Saturday night.
Chief fire officer Aidan Jennings said the conditions had been very difficult, with high winds complicating efforts to dampen the blaze.
"The cause of this fire is believed to have been deliberate," he said."The cause of this fire is believed to have been deliberate," he said.
"I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our firefighters, control room operators and support staff who have worked tirelessly in recent days to ensure the safety of our community across Northern Ireland.""I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our firefighters, control room operators and support staff who have worked tirelessly in recent days to ensure the safety of our community across Northern Ireland."
The fire service began to reduce resources at the site at about 03:00 BST. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, and non-related driving offences.
On Sunday, Supt Norman Haslett said that "gorse fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife as well as threatening homes, farms and the people living in those areas". Supt Norman Haslett said that "gorse fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife as well as threatening homes, farms and the people living in those areas".
"Anyone who engages in this reckless behaviour should carefully consider the consequences of their actions, and will be subject to the full rigor of the law," he said. The blazes come after the National Hazards Partnership issued an amber wildfire warning this weekend, highlighting the likelihood of fires that could be difficult to control.
Police are appealing for anyone who was in the Sandbank Road area of Hilltown on Saturday and "noticed anything out of the ordinary" to contact them.
The blaze came after the National Hazards Partnership issued an amber wildfire warning this weekend, highlighting the likelihood of fires that could be difficult to control.
Wildfire smoke continued to emerge from the Mourne Mountains on Sunday morning - this picture was taken from Rathfriland towards Spelga PassWildfire smoke continued to emerge from the Mourne Mountains on Sunday morning - this picture was taken from Rathfriland towards Spelga Pass
More than 700 callsMore than 700 calls
Mr Jennings from the fire service said that from midnight on 3 April to midnight on 5 April the fire service received a total of 741 calls into its regional control centre. The fire service said that said that from midnight on 3 April to midnight on 5 April the it received a total of 741 calls into its regional control centre.
"We are asking the public to remain particularly vigilant to the risk of fire at this time. We can reassure members of the public that normal service delivery is being maintained," he said. They have urged the public to remain vigilant but moved to reassure members of the public that "normal service delivery is being maintained".
The main Hilltown to Rostrevor Road and Sandbanks Road were closed for a number of hours but have since reopened.
Multiple wildfires have been reported in the Mourne Mountains in recent weeks.Multiple wildfires have been reported in the Mourne Mountains in recent weeks.
Some of them are thought to have been started deliberately.Some of them are thought to have been started deliberately.
The minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, described the blazes as having a devastating impact on the environment and wildlife.The minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, described the blazes as having a devastating impact on the environment and wildlife.