By Ryan Sands
AN action plan to tackle wildfires in highrisk locations like the Mournes is set to be finalised in the coming weeks.
This was confirmed in the Assembly on Monday by DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) Minister Andrew Muir in response to a question on the issue tabled by South Down MLA Andrew McMurray.
The local Alliance representative asked the minister to “outline any work that his department is undertaking to prepare for outbreaks of wildfires in the Mournes”.
Mr Muir responded that work currently “being undertaken to prepare for future wildfire seasons includes a range of actions”.
“A wildfire action plan is being developed to accompany the ‘Wildfires in Northern Ireland: Strategic Framework 2025-2030’,” he continued.
“The action plan is being developed through the Strategic Wildfire Group and the Northern Ireland Wildfire Stakeholder Forum.
“It will contain time-bound actions for each of the 35 key areas of development identified in the strategic framework.”
The framework, published in October, focuses on wildfire prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement.
Its vision – which identifies 35 key areas of development – is to ‘create a wildfire-resilient Northern Ireland where communities, agencies and landowners work collaboratively to reduce the severity and number of wildfires, protect life and the environment, and respond effectively to wildfire incidents’.
Continuing his response in the chamber, the DAERA Minister stated that forthcoming actions will be “delivered collectively across a range of wildfire stakeholders”.
“The action plan should be finalised in the next period of weeks, with some of its actions already being progressed,” he added.
“For example, my department has awarded a multi-year contract to develop wildfire management plans and response plans for designated sites in the Mournes, Antrim Hills and Carn/Glenshane.
“Through funding streams such as PEACEPLUS, several other wildfire management plans are also in development, including one at Slieve Beagh (Fermanagh).
”Northern Ireland Water is reviewing mitigations and restoration measures for the Silent Valley catchment.
“In preparation for the current wildfire season, the following works have been undertaken: Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service held a stakeholder familiarisation event during November 2025; the Fire and Rescue Service and Forest Service had a prewildfire season meeting on Friday 6 March 2026; the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s all-terrain vehicles have been repaired or scheduled for service in the period ahead to ensure that they are available for wildfire incidents in 2026; pre-fire season communications are in development; and restoration works, such as those in the Mournes, continue to be supported.”
To read the digital edition, download the Mourne Observer app
