Firefighters tackle Mournes blazes

Firefighters tackle Mournes blazes

25 July 2018

FIREFIGHTERS battled two fires in the Mournes last week, one of which has been described as one of the worst of its kind for some time.

The first of the blazes — which occurred within days of each other – broke out around 1.20am on Wednesday morning on Drinahilly Mountain near Tollymore Forest Park.

The fire rapidly developed and quickly spread over 10 acres of gorse, with the Fire and Rescue Service deploying a total of eight appliances and 46 firefighters to bring the blaze under control. Specialist wildfire offers were also tasked to the scene.

After 12 hours, the fire was brought under control, with three appliances remaining in the area in case any “hot spots’ remained which could have reignited.

While there is local speculation the blaze may have been started deliberately, the Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it is still working to establish the cause.

Hours after finally leaving the Drinahilly area, firefighters were back in the Mournes to tackle a blaze at Slieve Commedagh. 

The major gorse fire broke out last Thursday evening, with the Fire and Rescue Service deploying seven fire engines to the scene.

The crews were helped at the scene to bring the blaze under control by wildlife officers who work with the PSNI and Forest Service.

Councillors Dermot Curran and Billy Walker have praised the fire officers who have been working tremendously hard to tackle a number of gorse fires across the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area.

High temperatures over the summer months have left many areas tinder dry with speculation that a number of local fires may have been started deliberately. In addition to gorse fires in the Mournes, there have also been others in Downpatrick and the Leitrim area.

Cllr Curran said many fires had been prevented from reaching people’s property as a result of the expertise and diligence of firefighters across the district.

“While firemen based in all our local stations are part-time, they provide a very professional service which is second to none. We cannot thank them enough for what they do and they have certainly been stretched to the limit at times during this extraordinary dry spell,” he added.

Cllr Walker said due to the nature of the recent gorse fires, Fire and Rescue Service personnel had to work in particularly challenging conditions and spend time away from their day jobs and families. 

He added: “We are fortunate to have such high calibre personnel ready to respond at a moment’s notice when the alarm is raised. We owe then a huge debt of gratitude.”