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Executive Ministers, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and the PSNI have issued a joint statement condemning recent wildfires in the Mourne Mountains. From 25 to 29 April 2026, NIFRS was involved in resolving three significant wildfire incidents, with 65 fire service vehicles deployed and over 300 crew attending. It has been estimated that approximately 2,500 hectares of land has been impacted, with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt describing the level of damage as "shocking and quite frankly unsustainable."
First Minister Michelle O'Neill paid tribute to those who responded to the fires in the Mournes. "The wildfires in the Mournes have left a trail of devastating damage and demanded a major emergency response, with hundreds of firefighters and partner agencies working around the clock to protect homes, land and lives. Their courage, professionalism and commitment have been outstanding," she said. The First Minister also issued a direct appeal to those responsible, urging them "to reflect on the serious harm this is causing to our communities and environment and to stop."
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly echoed those concerns. "It is truly devastating to see the scenes emerging from the Mourne Mountains. These fires pose a real risk to life and have left communities living in fear and are destroying precious natural habitats and putting immense strain upon our emergency services," she said, urging those responsible to "stop and consider the consequences of their actions."
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir described the fires as deliberate acts, saying the damage to landscapes and habitats was putting "lives, health and property at serious risk." He added that while it was too early to fully assess the extent of the damage, it was likely to be significant.
Minister Nesbitt confirmed that a Wildfire Action Plan has been launched, focused on prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement. "These wildfires threaten public health, devastate important habitats, impact local livelihoods and place unacceptable pressure on emergency and health services. Where they are started deliberately, those responsible should face criminal penalties," he said. The public has been urged to report any fires immediately to NIFRS and to share information about suspicious activity with the PSNI.
NIFRS Assistant Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Marcus Wright thanked Ministers for their support and appealed to the public "to act responsibly when enjoying the countryside to help reduce the risk of wildfires."
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones confirmed that local police have been working closely with NIFRS throughout the incidents. While she said it was not yet possible to ascribe a definitive cause to individual fires, she noted that more often than not wildfires are caused by human activity, whether through carelessness, out-of-season agricultural practices or deliberate fire setting. "Where it is found that a wildfire has been maliciously started, it will be fully investigated by police and when identified those responsible can expect to be arrested and prosecuted," she said.
