Urgent action called as gorse fires threaten hen harrier habitat in Co Tyrone

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1. https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/minister-urges-public-to-remain-extra-vigilant-as-co-tyrone-blaze-rages-through-special-area-of-conservation/a1467592877.html - Please view link - unable to able to access data
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39849848 - A large moor in County Tyrone, near Fivemiletown, is ablaze, threatening the habitat of the protected hen harrier. The area, part of a Special Area of Protection, is home to about 10 breeding pairs of hen harriers, a quarter of Northern Ireland's population. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has been battling the fire for two days, deploying dozens of personnel and specialist equipment. The fire may have been started in multiple locations, and there is a history of unregulated burning in the area, with a significant fire in 2004 destroying about 400 hectares of bog and hen harrier nests. The NIFRS urges the public to remain vigilant when in the countryside, as deliberate fire setting has major consequences, tying up vital resources and posing risks to people and property. Fires can spread easily, and even a slight change in wind direction can pose serious risks to life, property, and the environment.
3. https://www.irishexaminer.com/farming/arid-40321646.html - The Hen Harrier Project, a five-year European Innovation Partnership scheme funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, focuses on conserving the hen harrier population in Ireland. In the Musheramore Special Protection Area (SPA), near the Cork-Kerry border, the project achieved significant success with five breeding pairs of hen harriers fledging ten chicks. This success is attributed to the active involvement of local farmers, with nearly 75% participation in the project. The project emphasizes the importance of managing upland habitats to prevent fires, which can destroy entire upland areas and threaten the hen harrier population. Grazing upland grassland or bog heath areas in June and July is encouraged to reduce the risk of fires, as dense, dry vegetation in winter months can easily catch fire and spread rapidly.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourne_Mountains - The Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland have a history of controlled gorse burning to clear land for sheep grazing. However, many of these fires are unmanaged and can become out-of-control wildfires. In the 1950s, Emyr Estyn Evans noted that some shepherds in the Mournes tended to burn gorse and heather recklessly, leading to widespread destruction and impoverishment of the mountain environment. In the 21st century, hundreds of heather and gorse wildfires occur annually in the Mournes, with the majority started deliberately, often by farmers and vandals. Some wildfires are caused by sheep farmers and landowners carrying out unapproved burning to clear gorse and heather, aiming to maximize subsidy payments for grazing land. Under the law, farmers must follow specific rules when burning gorse and heather, including notifying the fire service, obtaining permission, conducting burns under supervision, and ensuring proper control with fire breaks.
5. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-52851104 - As hot and dry weather continues, several wildfire warnings have been issued across Ireland. Temperatures have soared into the mid-twenties, leading to a significant increase in wildfire incidents. Provisional Met Office figures show that up to 27 May, Northern Ireland received just 30.6mm of rain, 42% of the average monthly rainfall. The EU's Emergency Management Service forecasts extreme wildfire danger across Ireland and Britain in the coming days. Fire crews in Northern Ireland dealt with more than 500 wildfire or gorse-related fires over April. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has appealed to people not to start fires in the countryside for any reason, warning that they could spread quickly and draw firefighters away from where they are needed most. Area commander Mark Smyth emphasized the importance of not adding additional pressure on emergency services during this time.
6. https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/06/14/major-incident-declared-in-north-as-more-than-130-firefighters-battle-gorse-blazes/ - In June 2023, a major incident was declared in Northern Ireland as more than 130 firefighters battled gorse blazes in Clogher, County Tyrone, and Glenariff, County Antrim. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) declared the major incident due to the scale of the fires. Aidan Jennings, NIFRS assistant chief fire rescue officer, stated that the fires were expected to continue into Thursday. Gorse plants contain flammable oils and burn easily in dry, hot weather, making them particularly susceptible to wildfires. The NIFRS urged the public to avoid areas where incidents were ongoing and to exercise caution to prevent further fires.
7. https://www.nifrs.org/be-vigilant-to-help-prevent-wildfires-this-summer/ - The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has called for the public to be vigilant in preventing wildfires as warmer weather approaches. In the previous year, NIFRS responded to 1,239 preventable wildfires across Northern Ireland, all caused by human behavior. While there was a 37% drop in wildfires compared to the previous year, the NIFRS emphasizes that every wildfire is avoidable. The service urges the community to be alert to the risk of wildfires when enjoying the countryside, advising against using open fires and being cautious with smoking materials, barbecues, or any other flames. Deliberately setting a wildfire is a criminal offense, and the NIFRS encourages reporting such incidents immediately. Responding to wildfires also puts added pressure on the service and partner agencies, as it can take hours or even days to extinguish these fires. The NIFRS aims to ensure the public can enjoy the countryside responsibly and safely.