Stormont’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister has appealed for anyone with information about the lighting of wildfires to speak to the authorities.
Andrew Muir was speaking as firefighters continue to tackle wildfires in the region this week.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it is believed that a large wildfire in the Mourne Mountains in Co Down was started deliberately.
The operation started at the weekend in a number of areas across the range, as hot and dry weather continued.
We are continuing to tackle wildfires in the Mourne Mountains. As the weather warning for wildfires remains in place, we're reminding the public to stay vigilant to the risk of fire in the countryside. If you see a fire, call 999. Read our statement: https://t.co/x4dob8uhuk pic.twitter.com/FmY7EkjV13
— Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (@NIFRSOFFICIAL) April 27, 2026
A NIFRS spokesperson said: “The wildfire in the Ballagh Road area of the Mourne Mountains has now been dealt with.
“The initial call was received at 6.44pm on Saturday 25 April 2026.
“At the height of the incident, more than 80 firefighters were involved in tackling the wildfire expanding 1,000 hectares.
“The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition and the incident was dealt with by 10.08am this morning.”
The spokesperson added: “Firefighters are continuing to work tirelessly at the Sandbank Road, Hilltown, wildfire incident.
“Approximately 50 Firefighters are in attendance battling a fire front of over 500m.
“Firefighting operations will continue today so we ask the public to avoid this area.
“With the weather warning still in place, we are appealing to the public to adhere to our fire safety advice.
“Please stay vigilant to fire in the countryside. If you see a fire, call 999 immediately.”
Mr Muir said he wanted to publicly thank the NIFRS for their work and commitment in tackling the fires, describing a difficult job.
On Monday, Martin McMullan, team co-ordinator at Mourne Mountain Rescue, expressed concern that nothing is being done in terms of those responsible for lighting the fires.
He suggested that the fires “didn’t look like they started from a recreational source”, adding “the areas where they started were almost inaccessible to the general public”.
“I think the challenge that we have is that there are no consequences. This happens year after year, even in the same areas and there are no consequences for those that are undertaking these actions,” he added.
On Tuesday, Mr Muir appealed to the public for anyone with information to come forward, expressing concern at a “veil of secrecy” around those responsible.
“I am appealing to people today, if anyone is aware of anyone who has deliberately set malicious fires in the countryside, you must come forward and report whatever you know either to police or anonymously to crime stoppers,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.
“We need you to come forward so we can take those cases through the criminal justice system.”
Mr Muir also said his department is committed to doing a review in terms of the legislation around wildfire offences, and the Department of Justice is also undertaking a review in terms of sentencing around environmental offences.
“We take this issue seriously, those who are lighting these fires, who are causing destruction to the environment, but also potentially endangering lives.
“I have been speaking to people who are at their wits end and living in fear in terms of these wildfires in the countryside,” he said.
“I share the concern that we are not getting cases into the criminal justice system. There are already offences in place which could result in custodial sentences, but there does seem to be maybe a veil of secrecy around this, no one is giving up the culprits who are involved in setting what is essentially, rural arson.
“That is not right and we need to have a step change in attitude around the acceptability of these offences because not only is it taking the Fire and Rescue Service resources away, but it is also endangering homes, businesses and communities, and the destruction to our environment is absolutely heart-breaking to see that occur year after year.”
