Significant damage to upland vegetation in the Mourne Mountains has intensified calls to revise Northern Ireland’s prescribed burning regulations amid over 18,000 wildfires since 2015 and rising costs exceeding £5 million.
Significant destruction of upland vegetation has occurred in the Mourne Mountains, Co Down, due to wildfires that swept through the region last month. The incidents form part of a worrying trend, as over 18,000 wildfire events have been reported to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service since 2015, leading to over £5 million spent on addressing these emergencies in the past decade.
Hundreds of firefighters were mobilised to combat the recent blazes, which have raised concerns among local officials and environmental advocates alike. The last major wildfire of this year took place at the Glenshane Pass in Co Derry on April 12, shortly before the conclusion of the permitted prescribed burning period.
The prescribed burning, which allows landowners to set controlled vegetation fires, is permitted between September 1 and April 14. In light of the recent wildfires, Agriculture and Environment Minister Andrew Muir has announced intentions to review these regulations. He noted that there are calls for the prescribed burning rules in Northern Ireland to align more closely with those in the Republic of Ireland, where the permitted period concludes six weeks earlier on March 1.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has attributed the rising incidence of wildfires to the granting of protected status to upland areas, which restricts sheep grazing. Minister Muir characterised this assertion as “bizarre,” indicating a divergence in perspectives regarding the causes of the wildfires.
The financial burden associated with these incidents was disclosed by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt in response to a written question from Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray. McMurray expressed deep concern over the increasing frequency of landscape fires, labelling the situation as “appalling.” He remarked on the high environmental and economic costs associated with these wildfires, alongside the risks posed to emergency services and the public.
“A recent report by the National Trust has shown that it will take many years for the environment to recover from the damage caused by them,” McMurray stated. He further emphasised that all fires are ultimately the result of deliberate actions and urged anyone with information about those responsible for these incidents to report it to the police.
Overall, the events in the Mournes highlight an ongoing struggle between environmental management, agricultural practices, and wildfire prevention in Northern Ireland.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/mourne-mountains-restoration-work-continues-29069659 – This article discusses ongoing restoration efforts in the Mourne Mountains following significant wildfires, highlighting the environmental impact and recovery initiatives.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57663537 – This report provides statistics on the number of wildfires in the Mourne Mountains since 2016, indicating a worrying trend in wildfire incidents.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60835036 – This article examines the environmental costs of wildfires in Northern Ireland, including the impact on habitats and the economy.
- https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/wildfire-damage-across-mournes-assessed-by-daera-and-partner-agencies – This news release details the assessment of wildfire damage in the Mourne Mountains, including the area affected and the response from various agencies.
- https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/the-mournes/our-work-to-recover-from-the-fires-in-the-mournes – This page outlines the National Trust’s efforts to recover from the fires in the Mournes, including conservation grazing and habitat restoration.
- https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/05/04/news/over_100_wildfires_reported_across_the_north_since_february-3256151/ – This article reports on the number of wildfires in Northern Ireland since February, highlighting the increasing frequency of such incidents.
- https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/fire-service-spends-more-than-5m-tackling-rural-wildfires-6XBUSGRHQREGROXQNURRFW2LPQ/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent events and quotes officials, indicating a recent publication. However, there is no evidence it directly copy-pastes from older sources.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Minister Andrew Muir and MLA Andrew McMurray are included but lack specific original sources. Assuming these are original references based on the context.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable regional news outlet, the Irish News. While not a major international source, it has a good reputation locally.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Claims about wildfires in Northern Ireland are plausible, given the region’s history. The financial figures and regulation discussions align with typical responses to environmental crises.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and likely based on recent events. Quotes seem original without prior references found. The source is reputable, and the claims are plausible given Northern Ireland’s context.
