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Firefighters face 408 gorse fires Warm weather gorse fire warning
(20 minutes later)
Firefighters have had to deal with a total of 408 gorse fires over the past seven days. Firefighters have had to deal with more than 400 gorse fires over the past seven days.
The Fire and Rescue Service urged the public to consider the consequences of their actions after blazes across Northern Ireland over Easter.The Fire and Rescue Service urged the public to consider the consequences of their actions after blazes across Northern Ireland over Easter.
On Thursday evening, firefighters tackled separate blazes in Counties Down and Fermanagh.
Four fire appliances were brought in to tackle a blaze at Rourke's Park, outside Annalong.
Firefighters were also called to deal with blazes on mountains near Florencecourt in County Fermanagh.
Education
Efforts are under way to educate young people about the dangers of starting fires in dry weather.
In Carnmoney, a local beauty spot has been badly damaged after youths started fires there.In Carnmoney, a local beauty spot has been badly damaged after youths started fires there.
An area the size of 10 football pitches has become an eyesore. About 5,000 young trees have been destroyed. About 5,000 young trees have been destroyed, and an area the size of 10 football pitches has become an eyesore.
The custodians of the grasslands, the Woodland Trust, are now working to make young people aware of the damage that they are causing.The custodians of the grasslands, the Woodland Trust, are now working to make young people aware of the damage that they are causing.
Brian Poots from the trust said: "There is no way we can be up here 24 hours a day walking the 169 acres. We cannot do it.Brian Poots from the trust said: "There is no way we can be up here 24 hours a day walking the 169 acres. We cannot do it.
"We have to educate people. We have to tell teachers, parents, the kids themselves, about the damage this causes, the destruction to the wildlife and the destruction to people's enjoyment."We have to educate people. We have to tell teachers, parents, the kids themselves, about the damage this causes, the destruction to the wildlife and the destruction to people's enjoyment.
Brian Poots of the Woodland Trust said 5,000 saplings were destroyedBrian Poots of the Woodland Trust said 5,000 saplings were destroyed
"People are looking up at the hill, there is a big scar on the hill now.""People are looking up at the hill, there is a big scar on the hill now."
Mr Poots said about 5,000 saplings had been destroyed and would have to be replaced.Mr Poots said about 5,000 saplings had been destroyed and would have to be replaced.
"It will take years for this to actually come back again," he said."It will take years for this to actually come back again," he said.
The risk of gorse fires - deliberate or accidental - can never be eliminated.The risk of gorse fires - deliberate or accidental - can never be eliminated.
But the real worry for groups like the Woodland Trust is that warmer springs and summers leave the ground like a tinderbox.But the real worry for groups like the Woodland Trust is that warmer springs and summers leave the ground like a tinderbox.
One fire in the Mourne Mountains was dangerously close to a park containing more than 400 caravans.One fire in the Mourne Mountains was dangerously close to a park containing more than 400 caravans.