Farmers in Northern Ireland are being urged to remain vigilant to wildfires as the weather is unprecedently warm and dry for the time of year.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are asking everyone to remain alert to wildfires this spring.

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots said: “We all saw the damage that was done in the Mournes last year and must take action to avoid any repeat of this.

Poots then warned about the consequences of starting fires. Any ignition source he said, may give rise to wildfire development. Such a fire can then spread quickly, especially in areas with dead grass, gorse, forestry and heath.

“Large areas can become engulfed in a very short period of time and may be hazardous to human life, property and wildlife," said Poots.

"Dealing with wildfires unnecessarily draws our resources away from where they are needed most - protecting our community. They also cause significant damage to wildlife and the environment," added Mark Smyth, group commander, NIFRS.

This comment comes as NIFRS confirmed yesterday (March 24) that a recently distinguished gorse fire in the Mourne mountains is thought to have been caused deliberately.

Deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence and if you see anyone setting a fire you should call the PSNI.

“The unpredictability of fire can also mean that those causing them may be putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them," added NIFRS chief superintendent Wendy Middleton.

Farmers and land managers are advised to take all necessary precautions to ensure that any prescribed burning within the remaining burn period (until April 14) does not turn into a wildfire incident.

When considering prescribed burning it must be done in a controlled manner and under careful supervision. Prior to any prescribed burn, Northern Irish farmers are advised to contact NIFRS headquarters to alert them and discuss the details and to subsequently notify NIFRS when burning operations have been completed.

The public are also urged to exercise common sense in the countryside: Never leave BBQs and camp fires unattended and when finished extinguish camp fires fully and take portable / disposable BBQs home after use and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to block access for emergency vehicles.

DAERA, NIFRS and PSNI issued the following advice.

If you are in the countryside:

If you are carrying out prescribed burning:

If you see a fire: