Wildfires can pose risks to reservoirs

01 April 2025 16:27

Following five recent instances of fires in the Mourne Mountains, NI Water is reissuing its appeal to the public to enjoy its water catchment areas responsibility highlighting the extreme risk of catastrophic damage wildfires bring to the environment, habitats, wildlife and drinking water.

With the weather forecast for next week showing further dry and breezy conditions, NI Water says more high risk wildfire warnings could be heading our way which also bring a risk to reservoirs and water catchment areas.

NI Water Catchment Officer Becca Allen said: “Five recent instances of fires in the Mourne Mountains are a stark reminder of the extreme risk of catastrophic damage wildfires an cause. It’s only because of quick actions of NIFRS and wind conditions that the fires were able to be contained.

“NI Water teams work hard to deal with the risk and problems wildfires can bring to our water catchment areas, including the Mournes, to ensure customer tap water is always of a very high quality.

“When a wildfire happens it also 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 requires a lot of resource and expertise to remove at the water treatment stage.

“While picturesque places like the Mournes are great to visit, it’s important visitors remember that these areas provide drinking water, so the public must take special care to look after them and protect them from any risk of wildfires. We all have our part to play in protecting the environment and enjoy our time in the countryside responsibly.”

Top tips from NI Water to enjoy the outdoors responsibly to reduce the risk of wildfires:

• 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

Notes to editors

• 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. NI Water’s work includes dealing with many catchment issues, including the risk and problem of wildfires, and NI Water can assure customers that our tap water quality is always of a very high quality.

Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com