Dry weather sparks wildfire warning

DAERA and Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) are asking farmers and the public for their help during the current dry weather spell which has sparked a wildfire warning.

The hot and dry weather has left the countryside vulnerable to fires caused by burning of vegetation or waste and littering and dumping of waste materials could put our emergency services under more pressure. It damages our environment and puts human lives, property and wildlife at risk.

Agriculture and Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: “As we work our way through the COVID-19 crisis, no one should start a fire in the countryside and place further strain on our emergency services. A number of significant wildfire incidents have occurred over recent weeks which have threatened property and destroyed valuable habitats.

“Wildfires are rarely natural. They are almost always started either deliberately, or by reckless burning or disposal of flammable vegetation or waste material. Waste or litter might also contain glass, which can easily start a fire on a sunny day.”

Due to the time of year and prevailing weather conditions (such as those associated with high pressure systems) an increased fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where dead grasses and shrubs such as heather and gorse exist. Ongoing predominantly dry weather, with a brisk wind at times, will exacerbate the potential for wildfires to spread.

Minister Poots added: “It is important that we all play our part in protecting our communities and vulnerable citizens during this national emergency, to ensure that we do not add unnecessary pressures to the emergency services. 

“I’m urging the public to take extreme caution because wildfires could result in tragedy for people caught in the line of a fire – don’t burn waste or vegetation and don’t fly-tip or drop litter.”

Michael Graham, Chief Fire & Rescue Officer (Interim) Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said: “Dealing with wildfires unnecessarily draws our resources away from where they are needed most, protecting our community. Thanks to our planning, the changes we have made to how we deliver our service, and the hard work of our people, we are well placed to continue protecting our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, however it is important that the public work with us to not add any additional pressure on the emergency services during this time.

“We would therefore appeal to farmers to support us by not carrying out controlled burning and remind the public to exercise common sense in the countryside.” 

The public are reminded that deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence and if you see anyone setting a fire you should call the PSNI immediately.

If you see a fire:

• If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service;
• Do not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water;
• Leave the area as soon as possible;
• If you see someone setting fires, report it to the PSNI.

If you do know people who are fire setting, let the PSNI know to assist with prosecutions.

If you are in the countryside:

• Extinguish cigarettes and other flammable materials properly
• Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows
• Avoid using open fires in the countryside
• Be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.

Notes to editors: 

1. The law states that burning of vegetation such as heather, gorse, whin or fern must not be carried out between 15 April and 31 August and only carried out at other times of the year under controlled and expert supervision. In addition it should be noted that fires that impact on designated sites such as an Areas of Special Scientific Interest and their features may be an offence if consent has not been obtained from DAERA.
2. Fly-tipping and dropping litter are offences.
3. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110. 
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