Slieve Donard: Over 100 firefighters continue to tackle Mournes 'major incident'

More than 100 firefighters have been tackling a large fire in the Mourne Mountains which is still being treated as a "major incident".

Coastguard helicopters have been used to move firefighters into remote areas to fight the blaze, the NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIRFS) said.

The fire began on NI's highest mountain, Slieve Donard, on Friday.

The operation is expected to continue into the evening and is "likely" to resume on Sunday.

"The use of the helicopters has allowed us to get a good aerial view of the fire spread, to inform our tactical firefighting approach and plan our resource deployments for tomorrow," said Aidan Jennings, Assistant Chief Fire and Rescue Officer.

"It has also been invaluable in helping us move firefighters into remote and difficult to reach positions to tackle the fire," he added.

"We are working closely with many partner agencies at the scene and this support has been invaluable.

"This is truly a multi-agency effort to bring this fire under control."

The emergency fire operation was escalated on Saturday morning and NIRFS declared the blaze a major incident.

They and the police have advise the public to avoid the area while the operation continues.

As well as engulfing the lower slopes of Slieve Donard, the fire has also affected the Glen River Valley and Thomas Mountain.

The 100 firefighters are from stations across Northern Ireland and 12 fire appliances are at the scene.

An Irish Coast Guard helicopter was deployed to assist with the operation on Saturday afternoon.

"We are making good progress however it's been a challenging and exhausting day for everyone involved," Mr Jennings said in a statement on Saturday evening.

"Every firefighter on the mountain has been working exceptionally hard and I want to pay tribute to them.

"They have had to work in intense heat, carrying equipment and they have been physically beating fires out.

"They have witnessed first-hand the devastation on the mountain, yet they are heartened by the support of our local community and the generosity in providing refreshments."

Earlier, it was reported that conventional fire appliances were unable to reach the fire due to the challenging terrain.

The operation in the Mournes was escalated on Saturday morning

Earlier, it was reported that conventional fire appliances were unable to reach the fire due to the challenging terrain.

'You will be turned away'

In a statement, the PSNI asked the public to avoid the Newcastle area, "in particular Trassey Road, Bloody Bridge, Tollymore Forest Park and Donard carpark to ensure NIFRS have full accessibility to these areas".

It added: "We understand many people will have made plans to walk the Mournes today but we would ask that you reschedule as you will be turned away upon arrival."

NI Secretary of State Brandon Lewis asked people to heed this advice as "deeply distressing scenes" unfold in the area of outstanding natural beauty.

Mr Lewis paid tribute to the "heroic work" of the emergency services and said the impact of the fire on one of Northern Ireland's most beautiful landmarks was "tragic".

At the scene - BBC News NI's Catherine Morrison

It's an unusual sight- the top of Slieve Donard obscured not by cloud but by plumes of smoke.

Gorse fires are continuing to spread across the mountain, above the tree line, fanned by a steady eastern breeze.

Dozens of firefighters and crews from as far away as Belfast and Glengormley are tackling the blaze, building firebreaks to stop the fire spreading into the forest.

Many of the most popular walking areas are affected: the Glen river walk, the Trassey track, Bloody Bridge.

On a sunny Saturday like this, there would usually be hikers and mountain bikers taking in the beautiful views.

But today, the warning from police and fire crews for people to avoid the area appears to have been heeded. Donard car park is virtually empty and the town is much quieter than normal.

Police have set up road blocks on the outskirts of Newcastle and are stopping drivers to warn them to stay away from Donard.

In a tweet, First Minister Arlene Foster said the fire was "devastating and tragic" and that she offered her "full support for those battling the flames".

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill echoed calls for people to avoid the Slieve Donard area and said her thoughts were with firefighters battling "one of our worst ever wildfires".

The NI Fire and Rescue Service has said that there was potential for further fires this weekend and urged people to avoid the Bloody Bridge and Glen Road access points.

Health Minister Robin Swann said he had spoken to the NIFRS to pay tribute to the crews fighting the blaze.

He joined the appeal to the public to stay away from the area to "allow the crews to concentrate in the job in hand and stay safe".

The NIFRS has said the area is unsuitable for wild camping, adding "we would ask the public to exercise due care and vigilance in relation to fire safety if out in the countryside during this current dry spell".

Wildlife impact

The sight of the Mournes in flames has upset many who love these mountains.

They are an important protected habitat for plants and animals.

Ground nesting birds and insects will have been badly affected.

How quickly they recover will depend on how deeply the fire has penetrated the peat.

Upland areas like this have huge potential to store carbon.

They've been described as our equivalent of the rainforest.

And today, they're once more on fire.

On Friday, Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard thanked the NIFRS but said local agencies need "urgent help".

"Whether accidental or deliberate, wildfires are incredibly dangerous. Today's fire will have caused widespread damage to an environmentally sensitive area, and will also unfortunately have proven deadly for local wildlife," he said.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath paid tribute to the firefighters' "bravery and determination", adding that the fire was visible from as far away as Downpatrick.

Twelve fire appliances and 58 firefighters have been at the scene in the Bloody Bridge area since the early hours of Friday

"Sadly, this will not only have a devastating impact on the natural landscape but the local economy of Newcastle that relies so heavily on the tourist product we associate with the Mournes," he said.

Speaking during a visit to the scene, DUP Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots thanked first responders and said he was "shocked" to see the damage inflicted on the landscape.

"Wildfires cause a devastating level of damage to our natural environment and threaten people's lives, homes and businesses," he said.

He added that wildfires were "rarely natural" and were almost always started "either deliberately or by reckless burning of flammable vegetation or material".