Mourne Mountains blaze believed to be 'deliberate' as homes evacuated and over 100 firefighters battle major incident overnight

A deliberate wildfire near Hilltown prompted emergency services to declare a 'major incident' with over 100 firefighters and 15 fire appliances responding. As the fire spanned two miles into forestry and threatened local properties, residents on Sandbank and Kilbroney roads were evacuated. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service began scaling back resources by 3 am, but a new gorse fire in the Mournes required further intervention, leading to road closures and public advisories against travel to affected areas.

Aidan Jennings, Chief Fire & Rescue officer, reported that from midnight April 3 to midnight April 5, NIFRS received 741 calls, indicative of intensifying wildfire incidents.

Police have declared a 'major incident' following a deliberate wildfire in Hilltown, leading to significant engagement from over 100 firefighters and multiple fire appliances.

Read at Irish Independent