An action plan to reduce the threat of wildfires in Northern
Ireland has been published by the DAERA Minister .
The Wildfires Action Plan to 2030 was produced through a
multi-agency approach as part of the Wildfires Strategic
Framework to tackle the increasing threat of wildfires.
The action plan focuses on five main objectives of prevention,
preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement. These strategic
objectives are supported by 35 key areas of development which,
taken together, should ensure regional capability to address the
issue of wildfire is enhanced.
Partners from the Northern Ireland Strategic Wildfire Group and
the Wildfire Stakeholder Forum will collectively work to deliver
the action plan, bringing their own expertise and skills to
wildfire risk management.
Commenting on the publication of the plan, Minister Muir said:
“We have all witnessed the devastating consequences of wildfires
in recent years, endangering homes, businesses and communities
whilst also damaging vital upland habitats across Northern
Ireland.
“The Wildfire Action Plan lays out how we will work together to
reduce wildfire risk by implementing specific actions over the
years ahead. Its implementation will help make our communities
more resilient, by raising awareness of the dangers and providing
the tools to adapt to and mitigate wildfire risks.
“The action plan also includes measures to enhance preparedness
and capability for response to wildfire incidents, as well as
supporting work on climate change adaptation, biodiversity and
peatland restoration.”
NIFRS Area Commander and Strategic Wildfire Lead, Ryan Thompson,
said: “We are working closely with our partner agencies to
address the impact of wildfires in our community.
“This wildfire action plan sets out a new approach to reduce
their frequency and severity to help protect lives, the
environment and make Northern Ireland safer. We are committed to
the strong, unified approach behind the Wildfire Action Plan to
ensure our Firefighters are ready to respond to incidents in
their local areas. With spring beginning, we urge the public to
follow our safety advice when visiting the countryside.”
As part of the implementation of the action plan, DAERA has
recently appointed a consortium of international wildfire experts
to deliver a range of wildfire mitigation and management work
across Northern Ireland including wildfire management and
response plans for Eastern Mournes, North Antrim Hills and
Carn/Glenshane Pass. The project is being supported by the
Carrier Bag Levy.
Led by global non-profit organisation Pau Costa Foundation,
the team of experts will work to improve the wildfire resilience
across the Eastern Mournes Area of Special Scientific Interest
(ASSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Antrim Hills
Special Protection Area (SPA), and Carn-Glenshane SAC.
The Wildfire Recovery Project will take at least three years to
complete and will involve engagement with local landowners and a
range of stakeholders including Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue
Service, the Ulster Farmers' Union, Northern Ireland Water,
Forest Service and other stakeholders and NGOs.
Minister Muir added: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of
the internationally renowned Pau Costa Foundation to undertake
the delivery of this Wildfire Recovery Project. The appointment
of these experts is an important step towards better wildfire
management, and I encourage local stakeholders and land managers
to participate in the project and engage with the consultants
during their initial information gathering processes.”
Based in Catalonia, the Pau Costa Foundation is dedicated to
wildfire management, fire ecology, and landscape management. The
Foundation was established in memory of Pau Costa Alcubierre, a
firefighter who died in a forest fire in 2009 and is committed to
improving safety for those managing fires.
Jordi Vendrell, General Director of Pau Costa Foundation said:
“Northern Ireland is highly advanced in wildfire management and
strategic planning, and the implementation of projects like this
clearly demonstrates that leadership. Initiatives of this kind
also create an important opportunity to connect knowledge and
experience from different parts of Europe, strengthening
collaboration and improving how we collectively prevent and
respond to wildfire risk.”
Notes to editors:
- The main outputs from Wildfire Recovery Project are,
guidance, field research, stakeholder engagement and development
and production of reports and studies including but not limited
to the following:
- Wildfire management and response plans for Eastern
Mournes, North Antrim Hills and Carn / Glenshane Pass.
- Wildfire spread modelling investigation across wet and
dry heath.
- Wildfire risk assessment across the Western Mournes and
investigations into the causes and drivers of wildfires
across the Mournes landscapes.
