A deliberate fire in County Down led to the evacuation of homes near the Mourne Mountains. The large gorse fire broke out on Sandbank Road in Hilltown around 17:00 BST on Saturday, prompting a major incident declaration. Over 100 firefighters with 15 appliances worked overnight to contain the blaze, which extended approximately two miles, including a large swath of forestry and property close by, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).
Silent Valley Mountain Park was closed following another gorse fire in the Mournes, leading to the closure of the Slievenaman Road and Ott car park. Ciaran Diamond of NI Water announced the closure, emphasizing the importance of public safety in preventing wildfires in the area. The Silent Valley Reservoir, recently reopened after a nine-week closure due to Storm Éowyn damage, remains closed until further notice.
Chief Fire Officer Aidan Jennings acknowledged the challenging conditions faced by firefighters in combating the blaze near Hilltown. High winds complicated efforts to control the deliberate fire, prompting the evacuation of nearby residents and a significant commitment of resources by the fire service. The National Hazards Partnership had issued an amber wildfire warning over the weekend, cautioning about the potential difficulty of controlling fires.
Over 700 calls were received by the fire service’s regional control center from April 3 to April 5, urging the public to remain vigilant against fire risks. Normal services have resumed following the reopening of the main Hilltown to Rostrevor Road and Sandbanks Road, which were closed temporarily. Multiple wildfires have been reported in the Mourne Mountains in recent weeks, with some suspected to be started deliberately, prompting concern from Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir about the environment and wildlife impact
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