An amber weather warning for wildfires was in place in Northern Ireland on Thursday 30 April 2026, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said, as it urged the public to remain vigilant and to call 999 immediately if they see a fire1. The service also said three wildfires in Counties Down and Armagh had been dealt with, while firefighters remained at a fourth near Dungiven in County Londonderry1.
NIFRS gave the following details of each incident1:
| Location | Initial call received | Resources at height of incident | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandbank Road, Hilltown | 9.01am, Sunday 26 April 2026 | About 50 firefighters; fire expanding 1,500 hectares | Dealt with by 10.40am on Thursday 30 April 2026 |
| Chimney Rock Mountain, Newcastle | 12.12pm, Tuesday 28 April 2026 | About 45 firefighters; 600m fire front | Dealt with on the morning of Thursday 30 April 2026 |
| Cranny Road, Mullaghbawn, Crossmaglen | 2.11pm, Wednesday 29 April 2026 | About 30 firefighters; 8 acres of fire | Dealt with by 9.21pm on Wednesday 29 April 2026 |
| Polly's Brae Road, Dungiven | Not stated | About 30 firefighters; fire front of about 500m | Ongoing at time of statement |
The cause of the Hilltown and Newcastle wildfires is under investigation, NIFRS said. It said the cause of the Crossmaglen wildfire is believed to have been deliberate ignition1. For the Dungiven fire, the service said: "We are urging the public to please avoid the area."1
In its statement, NIFRS said:
"There is an amber weather warning in place for wildfires today so please remain vigilant and follow our fire safety advice. If you see a fire, call 999 immediately."
Why it matters for households
The warning covers Northern Ireland for the day of the statement, 30 April 2026, and NIFRS asks the public to remain vigilant and follow its fire safety advice1. The service's countryside advice includes avoiding open fires in the countryside, extinguishing cigarettes and other smoking materials properly, using barbeques only in a suitable and safe area and never leaving them unattended, and ensuring they are fully extinguished and cold before disposal. It also asks people not to leave bottles or glass in woodland or grassland, to park considerately so as not to impede emergency vehicles, and to keep children away from lighters, matches and open fires1.
NIFRS advises that people should not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be extinguished with a bucket of water and should leave the area as quickly as possible, and that anyone who sees a fire in the countryside should report it to NIFRS by calling 999. Anyone who sees someone setting fires is asked to report it to the PSNI1. The service has not reported any casualties or damage to property in its statement1.
Households in the path of the Dungiven fire are asked to avoid the area while about 30 firefighters tackle a fire front of approximately 500m1. Further detail on wildfire risk and prevention for households is set out in the guide to wildfires and grass fires, within the wider heatwaves and drought section.
What happens next
NIFRS has not said when the amber warning will end or when the Dungiven incident is expected to be dealt with; neither has been reported1. The causes of the Hilltown and Newcastle wildfires remain under investigation1.
Wildfires and Grass Fires
