NI Water warns public of wildfire risks this summer

04 June 2024 14:16

With the recent news that Northern Ireland has just experienced its warmest May on record since 2008 and the second warmest Spring (March to May) since 1893, NI Water has issued a timely reminder to anyone planning to visit mountain areas, particularly the Mournes, that there is a real risk of wildfires.

With the days feeling hotter there will be increased hazard warnings for wildfires.  The risk will also increase due to strong wind conditions and increase in activities such as littering, use of disposable BBQ’s and burning of waste.

The Mournes are no stranger to wildfires, since April 2021 when Slieve Donard plunged into fire, there has been a huge conservation effort and three years on and work still continues to restore the habitat.

Rebecca Allen, Catchment Liaison Officer at NI Water explains further: “Wildfires not only pose a risk to human life, wildlife, property and the environment, but also to our drinking water catchment areas.  Many areas which might be prone to wildfires like the Mourne Mountains are also areas which provide our drinking water. While these places are great to visit and very picturesque, it’s important for visitors to remember that these areas provide drinking water and so special care must be taken of them.

“A water catchment is where water is collected by the natural landscape into rivers, lakes and streams.  NI Water control 2 drinking water catchments supplying water to all of Northern Ireland. We work hard to deal with many catchment issues including the risk and problem of wildfires, and we can assure customers that our tap water quality is always of a very high quality.

“However, wildfires within these areas not only pose a terrible risk to all life but removes the primary layer of vegetation, leaving the burned bare soil exposed to erosion which then makes its way into the reservoirs which is treated to become our drinking water.  This material requires a lot of resource and expertise to remove at treatment. Wildfires can also have a devastating impact on habitats and wildlife, destroying birds and animals homes and special habitat features.”

Some do’s and don’ts when in these areas during hot, dry weather:

• Do not light fires in and around forests or open land
• Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances;
• If you see a fire, gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire
• Telephone the NI Fire and Rescue Service on 999 and report the fire and its location
• Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service Instructions
• If you see someone deliberately setting fires, report it to the PSNI immediately as it is a criminal offence

Some friendly advice when enjoying your time in the countryside:

• Leave no trace; please take your rubbish with you
• Never fly-tip waste material
• Extinguish cigarettes and other flammable materials properly
• Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows
• Avoid using open fires

ENDS