Firefighters across Northern Ireland received nearly 1,000 emergency calls over the weekend as wildfires rage in a number of locations.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with 146 "wildfire related" incidents between Thursday and Sunday.
Firefighters continue to battle a blaze at Bloody Bridge near Newcastle in Co Down on Monday monrning, following wildfires in the Silent Valley and Ben Crom areas, as well as a wildfire at Garry Wood at Conogher Road in Dervock, Co Antrim.
Read more: Northern Ireland weather for week ahead as dry and sunny spells to continue
In a statement on Monday morning, a NIFRS spokesperson said: "From midnight on Thurs 3 April to midnight on Sun 6 April we received 997 emergency calls & were mobilised to 552 incidents. 146 of these incidents were wildfire related.
"As the weather warning continues we're urging the public to follow our safety advice."
Commenting on the incident in the Sandbank Road area of Hilltown on Saturday night, NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings said: “These incidents are not only challenging and physically demanding for our Firefighters, it is extremely resource intensive. However we are reassuring the public that we have contingency plans in place and are continuing to respond to incidents should the public need us.
“I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our Firefighters, control room operators and support employees who have worked tirelessly in recent days to ensure the safety of our community across Northern Ireland, including our partner agencies.”
A NIFRS spokesperson provided the following advice to prevent fires in the countryside:
Avoid using open fires in the countryside. An open fire can easily get out of control. Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows. Only use barbeques in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended. Ensure barbeques are fully extinguished and cold before disposing of their contents. Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodland or grassland. Take them home or dispose in a waste or recycling bin. Be considerate in parking vehicles so you don’t impede access for emergency vehicles. Keep children away from lighters, matches and open fires. Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be extinguished with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible. If you see a fire in the countryside, report it to NIFRS immediately by calling 999. If you see someone setting fires, report it to the PSNI.For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·