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More than 60 firefighters tackled three blazes on Slieve Binnian

Matt Fox
BBC News NI
Helen Rooney Outline of Slieve Binnian in the mourne mountains, with large orange flames and smokeHelen Rooney

Three fires dealt with by firefighters on Slieve Binnian in the Mourne Mountains on Wednesday night have now been put out.

Sixty-two firefighters, six fire engines and a command support unit were dispatched to the blaze at about 19:00 GMT, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said.

Area Commander Paul Rogers said the firefighters attended "three separate seats of fire", spanning from 300-400 metres to a kilometre in width.

"The distance between the seats of fire would lead us to the conclusion that these have been started by an individual, or individuals," Mr Rogers said.

During the fire he advised people living in the area to stay indoors and keep their windows closed. He advised people with respiratory health issues to move location if the smoke is causing difficulties.

The blaze caused repercussions for both those living in the area and on NIFRS services across Northern Ireland as there were a number of fire engines at the scene, Mr Rogers said.

Mourne Drone Mourne mountains with smoke billowing off themMourne Drone
Firefighters extinguished a smaller fire on Slieve Binnian on Monday

It follows a large gorse fire on the mountain on Monday, and two other blazes in the area last week, one near Silent Valley and another near Castlewellan, in County Down.

The fire near Castlewellan is believed to have been started deliberately.

The Natural Hazards Partnership issued an amber warning for wildfires in Northern Ireland last Friday.

It said that dry and breezy conditions heightened the risk of a blaze.

DUP assembly member Diane Forsythe said it is "devastating to see the huge fire on Slieve Binnian this evening".

"Here we are again looking at our beautiful mountains in shock and despair as the dangerous fire spreads again," she said in a statement.

"I pray for the safety of the firefighters.

"I will be asking the Police Service of Northern Ireland to increase patrols in the area as careless behaviour in the countryside starts these fires."

Noting this is third fire in the Mourne Mountains in under a week, Forsythe called on people "to stay safe and respect countryside".