WATCH: 150 hectares destroyed in Tyrone gorse fire

The chair of the Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs committee Declan McAleer MLA has said that the environmental impact of gorse fires on Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI’s) is devastating and to natural habitat and wildlife which could take years to recover.
By Darryl Armitage
Published 29th Apr 2020, 11:42 GMT
Updated 29th Apr 2020, 11:45 GMT
Mr McAleer said: Following a severe gorse fire in the mid Tyrone area which devastated around 150 hectares of the Murrins ASSI, I contacted the DAERA Minister Edwin Poots to ascertain what assistance his department could provide as regards the possible use of satellite technology used by DAERA for land mapping and inspections to try and establish the cause of the fire; the impact of this fire on the Murrins ASSI and any assistance DAERA could give to farmers and landowners affected by such fires."Mr McAleer said: Following a severe gorse fire in the mid Tyrone area which devastated around 150 hectares of the Murrins ASSI, I contacted the DAERA Minister Edwin Poots to ascertain what assistance his department could provide as regards the possible use of satellite technology used by DAERA for land mapping and inspections to try and establish the cause of the fire; the impact of this fire on the Murrins ASSI and any assistance DAERA could give to farmers and landowners affected by such fires."
Mr McAleer said: Following a severe gorse fire in the mid Tyrone area which devastated around 150 hectares of the Murrins ASSI, I contacted the DAERA Minister Edwin Poots to ascertain what assistance his department could provide as regards the possible use of satellite technology used by DAERA for land mapping and inspections to try and establish the cause of the fire; the impact of this fire on the Murrins ASSI and any assistance DAERA could give to farmers and landowners affected by such fires."

Mr McAleer said: "Following a severe gorse fire in the mid Tyrone area which devastated around 150 hectares of the Murrins ASSI, I contacted the DAERA Minister Edwin Poots to ascertain what assistance his department could provide as regards the possible use of satellite technology used by DAERA for land mapping and inspections to try and establish the cause of the fire; the impact of this fire on the Murrins ASSI and any assistance DAERA could give to farmers and landowners affected by such fires.

In his response Minister Poots said: "My staff within the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) attended the wildfire at the Murrins ASSI and assisted the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) to bring it under control. While assessments into this incident are ongoing, it looks like the fire has impacted a significant part of the ASSI; initial estimates suggest at least 150ha. It could take many years for the habitat and the wildlife it supports to recover.

“Such incidents are taken extremely seriously and investigations have been launched in relation to Murrins ASSI to determine if there has been any suspected breach of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002. NIEA is liaising with PSNI and NIFRS on this matter.

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“The department has access to contemporary satellite imagery which can help to assess the extent of the fire. Officials will be working with other relevant parties to investigate the extent of site damage and possible causes and origin of the fire. However, this type of investigation is very difficult. If your constituents have further information they may wish to report this to the PSNI or to Departmental Officials at [email protected].

“Assistance to landowners and farmers affected by wildfires is available through the Force Majeure process. Those who have been impacted can download the Force Majeure form from the DAERA website https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/area-based-schemes-2020-guidance-and-forms or phone SA Advisory on 0300 200 78 48, and one will be emailed to them.

“Applicants must inform the department of the circumstances within 15 working days from the date on which they are in a position to do so. It is also worth noting that a fire service or a PSNI number is required for completion of the FML1 form for gorse fires.

“My department will continue to be proactive in raising awareness of the dangers of wildfires and will also continue to work in partnership with NIFRS and others in attempts to reduce these incidents and lessen their impacts when they do occur."

The chair of the Assemblys Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs committee Declan McAleer MLA has said that the environmental impact of gorse fires on Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) is devastating and to natural habitat and wildlife which could take years to recoveThe chair of the Assemblys Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs committee Declan McAleer MLA has said that the environmental impact of gorse fires on Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) is devastating and to natural habitat and wildlife which could take years to recove
The chair of the Assemblys Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs committee Declan McAleer MLA has said that the environmental impact of gorse fires on Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) is devastating and to natural habitat and wildlife which could take years to recove

Mr McAleer concluded: “These gorse fires have a hugely negative impact on the natural environment and are a drain on the time and resources of the Fire Service at this crucial time. They also present a significant risk to life and property and I urge people to be extra careful during this particularly dry spell."

Video and pictures courtesy of Cathal Logue.

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Related topics:Declan McAleer MLAEdwin PootsNorthern Ireland Fire and Rescue ServiceDAERA