The public are advised of the elevated wildfire warning to amber whilst in the outdoors over the next few days.
With ongoing heat and little rainfall forecast, wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife; and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.
Council is appealing for the public to stay vigilant to the risk of fire in the countryside. We would encourage residents and visitors to adhere to the following advice:
- Avoid using open fires in the countryside. An open fire can easily get out of control.
- Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.
- Only use barbeques in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended.
- Ensure barbeques are fully extinguished and cold before disposing of their contents.
- Don't leave bottles or glass in woodland or grassland. Take them home or dispose in a waste or recycling bin.
- Be considerate in parking vehicles so you don’t impede access for emergency vehicles.
- Keep children away from lighters, matches and open fires.
- Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be extinguished with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible.
- If you see a fire in the countryside, report it to NIFRS immediately by calling 999.
- If you see someone setting fires, report it to the PSNI.