Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) issued a public appeal on Friday 9 May 2025 to stay vigilant to the risk of fire in the countryside, with a wildfire weather warning remaining in place across Northern Ireland for the weekend1. At the time of the appeal, firefighters were continuing to tackle a wildfire at Ballagh Road, Clogher, with 10 fire appliances and approximately 50 firefighters at the scene1. On Saturday 10 May, NIFRS reported that a multi-agency response led by the service had been tackling a large wildfire in the Slieve Beagh area in County Tyrone2.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), NIFRS and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the potential wildfire hazard risk was high during the current warm and dry spring weather2. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said the fire in Counties Tyrone and Monaghan had torn through approximately a third of a protected site, which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as blanket bog habitat2. He said current conditions were set to last into the weekend and beyond2.
"With a weather warning remaining in place for wildfires across Northern Ireland this weekend, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is appealing for the public to stay vigilant to the risk of fire in the countryside."
NIFRS Western Area Commander David Doherty said very often these fires are started deliberately, and that purposely setting a wildfire is a criminal offence1. The PSNI said anyone caught deliberately setting a wildfire will be prosecuted to the full extent the law allows2. NIFRS asked the public to avoid using open fires in the countryside, to extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly, to use barbeques only in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended, to ensure barbeques are fully extinguished and cold before disposal, and not to leave bottles or glass in woodland or grassland1. It also asked people to park considerately so as not to impede emergency vehicles, to keep children away from lighters, matches and open fires, and not to attempt to tackle fires that cannot be extinguished with a bucket of water but to leave the area as quickly as possible1. Fires in the countryside should be reported to NIFRS on 999, and anyone seen setting fires reported to the PSNI1.
The multi-agency statement advised extra caution with machinery and other agricultural activity that may present a risk of fire in dry vegetation, with operators ensuring machinery is well maintained and heat insulation in place and intact2. Farmers and landowners were reminded that the prescribed burning window is now closed2. It said that once ignited, fire can spread rapidly, especially in areas with dead grasses, gorse, forestry and heather2.
Why it matters for households
The warning covers Northern Ireland and was stated to remain in place for the weekend, with conditions set to last into the weekend and beyond1. Households in or near countryside, woodland, gorse, heather or bog are within the areas the agencies describe as at risk, and the PSNI said gorse fires can threaten homes, farms and the people living in those areas2. The agencies ask the public to avoid lighting fires of any kind while the risk is high, not to attempt to tackle a fire themselves, and to report fires immediately to NIFRS2. NIFRS said contingency plans are in place and that it will continue to respond to incidents across Northern Ireland1. Practical background on preventing countryside fires is set out in the guide to wildfires and grass fires, with related guidance on barbecues and wildfire risk in dry weather and on heatwaves and drought.
What happens next
The agencies said the current conditions were set to last into the weekend and beyond, and NIFRS said it would continue to respond to incidents across Northern Ireland1. No further update on the Ballagh Road or Slieve Beagh fires, or on when the wildfire weather warning will be lifted, has been reported1.
Wildfires and Grass Fires
