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29 Apr
A blaze that saw firefighters scrambled to Cavehill this week ripped through 3.5 acres of gorse on the North Belfast mountain.
Belfast City Council, which owns the land, said the flames spread all the way from McArts Fort to Upper Cavehill Road.
Police arrested a teenager in West Belfast on suspicion of arson on Thursday. He has since been bailed pending further inquiries.
Read more:Teen arrested over Cavehill fire
The fire, which burned through Wednesday night and Thursday, is the latest to hit Northern Ireland after incidents in the Mournes and Black Mountain.
It has sparked further calls for care and consideration because of the devastating impact they have on wildlife.
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “We’d encourage all visitors to be respectful of our natural environment when visiting Cavehill and avoid lighting open fires.
“Open fires can escalate rapidly and pose a serious risk to public health and safety.
“They can also have a damaging effect on the important habitats and local wildlife in the area.
“Anyone who observes a fire should report it immediately to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.”
Such incidents can leave a trail of destruction in their wake, as they burn through scrub destroying nests, habitat and killing creatures.
Simon Gray, Senior Conservation Officer with Ulster Wildlife, said: “Wildfires are bad news for biodiversity as they destroy habitats and kill hosts of insects, reptiles and amphibians that can’t escape the flames.
“Even birds and larger animals that may be able to avoid the danger are often left without nests or dens, or their young being killed.
“Although vegetation and habitats may regenerate, certain species may take many years to return if they ever do at all.”
As well as the impact on wildlife, gorse fires also “strip the vegetation leaving soils exposed”.
“This leaves them open to erosion, and damage,” added Simon.
“Not only is this damaging to the habitats which have been burnt but the eroded material can have detrimental impacts on the rivers and lakes where it ends up.
“Also, as fires burn, carbon stored in vegetation combusts, releasing carbon dioxide and other potent greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, into the atmosphere.
“Please remember to act responsibly in the countryside and follow the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles, ensuring fires or barbecues are avoided near areas of vegetation.”
This latest wildfire was first reported around 9.20pm on Wednesday, with firefighters battling to put it out until Thursday afternoon.
PSNI Chief Inspector Fox said: “Police will be proactive in robustly investigating such reports and would urge landowners and members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police through 101, online or in an emergency 999.”
Read more:NI Fire Service warns of increased risk of wildfires this weekend
Read more:Augher house fire: 10 fire appliances in attendance in Co Tyrone incident
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