Lighting wildfires labelled a 'no go' -following recent blazes in Mourne Mountains

There are fresh calls for concern following recent fires which have broken out in the Mourne Mountains.

Lighting wildfires is being labelled a 'no go' by the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.

There has been several fires in the area in recent weeks, including one this weekend in Silent Valley, which around 50 firefighters tackled.

On Friday an amber warning for wildfires was issued by the Natural Hazards Partnership.

We're hearing people need to take extra care when hiking in area this spring.

Coordinator on the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team Alwynne Shannon spoke to Downtown/CoolFM exclusively:

"Wildfires is a no go. You would really need permission from the landowner, which I don't think is going to happen. If you're camping you can use pieces of equipment that let you camp and cook safety. But not lighting a little fire on the ground."

"People get very enthusiastic about spring time, going up to wild camp. Some of the old practices that existed years and years ago about making a little campfire... that no longer is sustainable, it can't happen."

"They can spread really quickly if the environmental conditions in the wind are right. You've concerns about the damage to environment, property, people, and of course hill walkers. So this time of year can be problematic."

"A wildfire does not exist. A wildfire is started by a human being."

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