Beautiful Virgin Islands

Saturday, Apr 26, 2025

Intensive Firefighting Efforts Underway in Northern Ireland's Mourne Mountains

Intensive Firefighting Efforts Underway in Northern Ireland's Mourne Mountains

Over 50 firefighters combat significant wildfires with an amber warning in effect due to rising temperatures.
More than 50 firefighters are currently engaged in combating a major wildfire in the Mourne Mountains, located in County Down, Northern Ireland.

This comes in response to a major incident declaration over the weekend, prompted by a series of wildfires that led to the evacuation of homes.

Authorities are treating one of the significant blazes as arson.

Since Thursday night, firefighters have responded to nearly 150 separate incidents across the region.

An amber wildfire warning remains in effect, with forecasts indicating increasing temperatures, which raise concerns about the potential for further wildfires.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) reported receiving 240 calls on Monday, with 27 out of 148 calls mobilizing fire crews to tackle wildfires.

The current wildfire at Bloody Bridge has escalated, requiring eight fire appliances and over 50 firefighters to engage in operations aimed at containing the blaze.

It is anticipated that firefighting efforts will continue throughout the day.

Residents in the nearby Newcastle area have been advised to keep windows and doors closed and to refrain from hill walking in the vicinity of the fires.

Superintendent Norman Haslett, the district commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, confirmed that wildfires pose a serious risk not only to homes and farms but also to local wildlife and the environment.

He noted that some wildfires are believed to have been intentionally ignited, prompting police to enhance their patrolling measures.

Officers are using air support and specialist units to monitor the area for potential arson suspects and to detect fires early, safeguarding residents and alerting those in danger.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill described the situation as 'devastating,' urging for prompt action to prevent future incidents.

Addressing the media, she emphasized the need for collective efforts in mitigating the risks of wildfires and implementing necessary preventive measures.

In addition to the fires in the Mourne Mountains, firefighters have successfully dealt with fires in the Sawel Mountain region of Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, as well as on Carncullagh Road in Dervock, County Antrim.

Fire crews have also attended to various emergency incidents throughout the night, including a significant kitchen fire in Banbridge that had extended into the attic, and a large shed fire in Hillsborough.

Authorities continue to stress the importance of fire safety and have urged the public to remain vigilant in reporting any signs of fire.

Emergency services have reiterated that immediate action must be taken by the public to report fires by calling emergency services.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
"China has survived for five thousand years, most of it without the United States as a market, and it can easily continue to survive without the U.S. market for another five thousand years — no problem," said a China analyst.
Elites vs. America: How Democrats Lost the Plot and the People
Pam Bondi Details Wisconsin Judge’s Actions Before Arrest: 'Can't Make This Up'
Not Child’s Play: How Competitive Gaming Became a Global Economic Empire
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Peter Navarro: The Man Behind Trump’s Tariff Madness
Milwaukee Judge Arrested on Allegations of Aiding Undocumented Immigrant’s Escape
Former U.S. Congressman George Santos sentenced to eighty-seven months for wide-ranging fraud
Trump administration moves to BAN essentially ALL artificial food dyes in the USA food supply at RFK Jr.'s direction
Woman slaps man at sports game and gets herself and husband beat up
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
China do not pay these tariffs - you pay it. This is new 145% tax you pay to the US government.
Nightlife in the streets of Manchester
In God We Profit
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
UK Prison Officers Demand Electric Stun Guns Amid Safety Concerns
China, China, China!
Australian National Charged as Mercenary for Fighting in Ukraine
Israel Considers Limited Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Prince Andrew Joins Royal Family Attends Easter Sunday Service at Windsor Castle
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Here’s a police officer with a brilliant gift for swift education
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
Canadian Federal Election: Candidates' Positions on US-Canada Relations and Donald Trump
Resentencing Hearing for Menendez Brothers Who Killed Their Parents Delayed Amid Legal Disputes
Australian Woman Gives Birth To Stranger's Baby In IVF Mix-up
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
California Launches Legal Challenge Against Trump Administration's Tariffs
"Groundless": China Dismisses Zelensky's Claims It's Supplying Arms To Russia
UK Psytrance Festival Cancelled Amid Local Protests Over Noise Concerns
French Far-Right Writer Renaud Camus Denied Entry to UK
UK Police Force Updates Search Policy for Trans Individuals in Custody
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
Canada's Federal Party Leaders Engage in Final Debate Ahead of General Election
Ukraine and US Sign Outline of Minerals Deal
Fast Food Chain Refuses to Apologize for Online Comment About Katy Perry's Space Voyage
New York Attorney General Letitia James Faces Criminal Referral for Alleged Mortgage Fraud
Mark Cuban admits support for Trump executive order: ‘Gotta be honest’
US Senator Meets with Deported Immigrant in El Salvador Amid Custody Dispute
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
UK Government Assumes Control of British Steel's Scunthorpe Plant Amid Shutdown Threat
×