Home / Environment / NI Tackles Wildfire Threat With New Action Plan
NI Tackles Wildfire Threat With New Action Plan
2 Apr
Summary
- Northern Ireland launched a new action plan to combat wildfires.
- The plan aims to reduce wildfire risk by 2030.
- International experts are assisting in wildfire management efforts.
A new Wildfire Action Plan, targeting a reduction in wildfire threats by 2030, has been launched in Northern Ireland. This initiative follows a period of intense wildfire activity last spring, which saw nearly 300 blazes in a single week, including a major incident in the Mourne Mountains.
The plan is the result of a multi-agency approach, spearheaded by Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir. It outlines five core objectives: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and enforcement, with 35 development areas designed to bolster regional capabilities.
International wildfire experts, led by the Catalonia-based Pau Costa Foundation, will contribute to projects focusing on areas like the Eastern Mournes and North Antrim Hills. This collaboration aims to share knowledge and strengthen European wildfire management strategies.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) emphasizes its commitment to a unified approach, ensuring firefighters are well-prepared. The plan also integrates measures for climate change adaptation, biodiversity, and peatland restoration, highlighting a holistic strategy for a safer environment.
