Wildfires in coastal areas of south Down have led to a number of closures with people asked to avoid the area.
The Slievenaman Road, Newcastle is closed this morning due to a gorse fire in the Mournes. Ott car park is also closed.
“Members of the public, including road users, are asked not to travel to the area,” said a PSNI spokesperson.
Meanwhile, NI Water has said that Silent Valley Mountain Park will be temporarily closed due to the ongoing wildfires.
It says the decision comes after emergency services declared a “major incident” in the Hilltown area yesterday (Saturday), evening, with firefighters still working to bring the fire under control today.
NI Water’s Ciaran Diamond said: “We know how much our visitors love Silent Valley and earlier this week we had partially reopened the Park in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. However, NI Water must ensure public safety so the Park will be closed from today Sunday 6th April 2025 until further notice.
“We would like to reiterate our appeal to the public to be vigilant. Wildfires not only pose a risk to human life, wildlife and the environment but also our drinking water catchment areas.
“Activities such as littering, using disposable BBQs and burning waste increases the risk of wildfires, especially when weather conditions are breezy, so special care therefore must be taken.”
