Mourne wildfire: Thousands evacuated from homes and caravan park as mile-long blaze rages
More than 50 firefighters bring ‘massive’ blaze under control in popular tourist area of County Down
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thousands of people were evacuated after a large wildfire broke out on the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland.
Emergency services were called to Tollymore Forest, close to the town of Newcastle in County Down, after a blaze broke out in woodland on Sunday evening.
Fire crews said they were battling flames across a mile-long front on the mountain range.
Around 3,000 holidaymakers and residents from the nearby Bonny’s Caravan Park and surrounding residential streets were evacuated amid safety concerns, the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team said.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned anyone who had not left the campsite to do so immediately, urging the public to avoid the immediate area around the fire.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) assistant chief fire officer, Alan Walmsley, said more than 50 firefighters had been dispatched to the scene.
“Crews working hard tackling the fire and protecting properties that could be at risk,” he added on Twitter late Sunday evening, “conditions punishing and challenging.”
The blaze was brought under control by firefighters overnight.
NIFRS said a small crew remained at the scene to deal any the remnants of the fire. The campsite has since been reopened.
Officials have yet to announce whether the cause of the blaze has been determined.
However, Mr Walmsley said the majority of gorse fires in the area were started deliberately.
“We would ask anyone involved in this behaviour to think about their actions and the impact on their local community,” he added.
Mourne councillor, Glyn Hanna, described the fire as “massive”, during an interview with the Belfast Telegraph.
“I haven’t seen as big a fire in that part of the Mournes for a long time,” the DUP representative said.
“I hope it’s not anti-social behaviour. There are a lot of young people about in Newcastle just at the minute.”
The Mournes are Northern Ireland’s tallest mountain range and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The area is partly owned by the National Trust and attracts thousands of tourists, cyclists and hillwalkers each year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments