Fire Service warns gorse fire's will worsen as good weather continues

By Connor Stringer

Two Fire Appliances and approximately twelve Firefighters are continuing to battle a “significant” gorse fire in County Antrim this morning.

The fire, which began on the Alatarichard Road near Ballycastle yesterday, is expected to destroy up to 1000 hectors of land.

Specialist crews were dispatched given the tough nature and size of the terrain yesterday, but were removed as night fell.

Local farmers were seen tackling the wildfire with water tankers overnight.

A second smaller gorse fire on the Island Boy Road was also brought under control yesterday.

Around 50 firefighters battling two significant gorse fires in the Altarichard Road area and the Islandboy Road area near Ballycastle.
“12 Fire Appliances and approx 70 Firefighters from across Northern Area Command have been deployed". The incident is ongoing. @KMcAuleyPhoto pic.twitter.com/RTc36We07E

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) April 21, 2020

Western Area Commander Mark Smyth said all fire lighting should stop during this period of Coronavirus lockdown.

“We need to, at this time, not to be lighting fires of any description.

“Whether it's land management, recreational use or having a barbecue, it just shouldn't be happening or even worse, people trying to do this completely deliberately trying to just cause chaos.

“We really don't need it at this time.”

It is understood that the Fire and Rescue Service is expecting the fire to continue throughout the day as heat from recent good weather rises.
 

Wildfire lights up the night sky above homes near Ballycastle. Credit: McAuley Multimedia 

Local farmers help Firefighters tackle the blaze using water tankers. Credit: McAuley Multimedia 

The fire burns close to a home near the Altarichard road, Ballycastle. Credit: McAuley Multimedia