Probe launched into hundreds of 'deliberate' wildifres

By David Hunter

A multi Agency investigation has been launched into a series of wildfires in Northern Ireland.

The Fire and Rescue service responded to almost one thousand incidents last month as the country face un seasonably dry weather. 

It's estimated around 90% of the blazes were started deliberately and cost thousands of hours to bring under control. 

Operation WildFire brings together experts from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service  - assisted by a team of international wildfire investigators from the European Forest Institute and European Forest Risk Facility.

Officials say this is an essential first step in any successful fire investigation and can help lead to prosecutions

Colum McDaid who leads on wildfire control initiatives in NIEA said: “The vigorous and thorough investigation of wildfires is the key to catching arsonists, and can be critical in identifying serial arsonists before they can move on to bigger targets.

“The law states that burning of vegetation such as heather, gorse, whin or fern must not be carried out between 15 April and 31 August, and only carried out at other times of the year under controlled and expert supervision.

"Additional offences can be caused by fires that impact on designated sites such as Areas of Special Scientific Interest and their features.

"Landowners are required to obtain consent from DAERA for prescribed burning within designated sites.”

Constable Darryl Johnston, operational planning PSNI added: “Wildfires are illegal and the deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence.

"We hope to use the Operation Wildfire investigations to determine the cause and origin of a number of the recent fires with the ultimate aim of serving in court cases and deterring arsonists.

“If members of the public have information about anyone who has started wildfires, please let the PSNI know so that we can pursue them through the courts. Not only do these fires cause widespread damage to our precious countryside, but they can also put lives at risk.”

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