Over 700 acres of land destroyed

Over 700 acres of land destroyed

30 April 2025

THE National Trust has this week warned, four years on from the devastating fire that ravaged the Mournes in 2021 and the spate of wildfires earlier this month, that it will take years for the precious landscape to recover.

The warning is at the heat of a new report on the condition, recovery and approach to managing its land within the Mournes which the conservation charity has launched.

The ‘Donard Nature Recovery Report’ highlights the fragility of the delicate habitats in this area and outlines the condition of the land, particularly following the fire in April 2021 which destroyed 720 acres of land which was transformed into a lunar landscape.

An area once brimming with flora and fauna was scorched, vegetation destroyed and species diversity reduced. 

The conservation charity revealed that wildfire recovery monitoring using Environment Agency condition assessments between 2021 and 2024 found quick recovery of grasses and more gradual recovery of dwarf shrubs, which last year was recorded at 41% cover, compared to 53% before the 2021 blaze which could be seen as far away as Scotland and the Isle of Man.

In addition, a so-called wildfire regime analysis by the Pau Costa Foundation in 2023 outlined the potential dynamics of future wildfires across the Mournes and highlighted areas where strategic management would reduce flame length and the rate of spread of wildfire. 

This work also highlighted the impacts of climate change on wildfire dynamics, emphasising the need for strategic management to prevent such devastating wildfires onsite in the future, while the Montane Heath Condition Assessment in 2022 covered the fragile montane heath on the summit of Donard and Commedagh. 

This particular survey identified grazing pressures, trampling by hill walkers and nitrogen deposition, with a key recommendation to reduce pressures on the habitat in order to make the habitat more resilient.

Meanwhile ammonia monitoring on Donard found that sampled vegetation looks in a worse state than might be expected given the nitrogen levels while invertebrate surveys carried out last year looked at differences between areas affected by the 2021 wildfire and unaffected habitat. 

Also in the report are details about rare snd scarce species recorded, including a species of water beetle and montane spider, showing the importance of this habitat. 

However, the findings show the burnt area had a collapse in both variety of species with 18 in the burnt area, compared to 48 in the unburnt area and abundance of invertebrates 90% lower in burnt area.

The Trust says this will impact other wildlife that feeds on insects, including birds and common lizard.

The report also reveals a 2023 moisture survey indicated the Mournes fuel moisture was moderate, but a sample from Slievenamaddy had low moisture, and therefore at higher risk of ignition in a wildfire.

The conservation charity’s conservation adviser, Melina Quinn, said the 2021 fire has had a “devastating and lasting impact” on the surrounding environment.

She said this land is a “precious and scientifically important area” home to a rich variety of wildlife and habitats that need care. 

She continued: “This report highlights that nature is being subjected to a myriad of threats and pressures from recreation, burning, grazing, ammonia deposition, land use changes and climate change. 

“We now have evidence of catastrophic declines in invertebrates following the 2021 wildfire; a change on this scale, three years after the initial burn provides evidence of a significant ongoing impact.”

Melina added: “ This, in addition to the unfavourable condition of our priority habitats, is extremely worrying.”

Following the 2021 fire, the National Trust has been trialling different methods to rejuvenate the land and bring it back to full health for the plants and animals that live there. 

This includes partnering with key organisations in the ‘Forever Mournes’ partnership to work together to protect this landscape and a wide range of 

site management strategies including conservation grazing, path maintenance, a wildfire plan, peatland restoration and a variety of monitoring programmes looking at habitats and species.

The report can be viewed in full at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/donard-nature-recovery-plan