Amber Wildfire Warning Issued for Northern Ireland

An amber warning has been issued for wildfires across Northern Ireland due to ongoing dry and breezy conditions.

Following a recent gorse fire in the Mourne foothills—believed to have been started deliberately—both Northern Ireland Water and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service are appealing for the public to remain vigilant.

They stress that littering, disposable barbecues, and waste-burning can all spark devastating fires, and advise anyone spotting a fire to call 999 immediately. Windier weather conditions on Friday could further increase the difficulty of containing fires, heightening the need for caution.

OutmoreNI’s Right Side of Outside campaign urges everyone to avoid open fires, only light barbecues in designated areas and to take all litter home with you. It also reinforces the importance of parking responsibly so that emergency services have clear access should they need to reach a fire or someone in jeopardy.

By following these simple steps, we can all help protect our countryside and the communities within it.