Alarm over wildland fires started deliberately in Northern Ireland

Wildland or gorse fires are causing serious damage across Northern Ireland where more than 60 outbreaks have occurred already this year.

A gorse fire takes hold Image by mozzercock / CC BY 2.0

The fire service has warned that most of the fires break out at this time of year and ruins thousands of acres of unspoilt countryside. The authority explained that contrary to popular belief, they are not sparked off by prolonged hot weather.

BBC Northern Ireland reports that at times the damage caused by the conflagrations is “irreparable”.

In the latest incident in Co Tyrone, firefighters spent six hours at a blaze at Mullaghfad forest near Fivemiletown which they believe was started deliberately.

The startling statistics from 2012-14 shows there were over 5,000 incidents classed as wildland fires in that time of which all but 500 were started deliberately.

Brian Stanfield, the fire service district commander said they wanted the public to enjoy the countryside, and asked for vigilance against those started on purpose as well as watching out for others which were caused by accident.