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Firefighters tackling wildfires in Mournes

Catherine DoyleBBC News NI
News imageJordan Dick A large wildfire on a mountain at night. Smoke is bellowing into the sky. The rest of the mountain is in darkness. The sky is dark navy with some clouds. Jordan Dick
One of the wildfires is in the Bloody Bridge area

Firefighters are tackling two wildfires on the Mourne Mountains in County Down.

One of the blazes broke out on the Slievenaman Road in Newcastle.

The other is on Ballagh Road in the Bloody Bridge area.

It comes as a yellow warning for wildfires remains in place across Northern Ireland.

News imageShaun McAuley Smoke is rising from a mountain. Several fire engines are parked. Some trees and yellow bushes are growing. A few buildings are in the distance. Shaun McAuley
More than 50 firefighters have been dealing with a blaze on the Slievenaman Road in Newcastle

People are being asked to avoid the area.

NIFRS Group Commander Peter Blaney said the fire at Slievenaman Road was burning over about 10 hectares.

He added that a lot of vegetation has been burnt, but that fire crews have the blaze under control.

"This is in the heart of the Mournes, so it has been affected by wildfires before," he said.

News imageA map of the County Down area. The Slievenaman Road is displayed in pin in red. Other areas in the map include Bloody Bridge, Newcastle, and Spelga Dam. The sea is to the right. A mountainous area is in the centre.

Resources from throughout Northern Ireland are involved, with 52 firefighters attending.

Six pumping appliances, a water tanker, an off-road vehicle, and a command unit are present.

Diversions are in place at the junction of Bryansford Road, Moyad Road and Trassey Road.