Couple caught up in forest fire .

[RedLeader]

This is mental. Cheers for the pics Liam.

I'm guessing this is worse than the usual annual gorse fires we would see?

[Scribble]

I was suppose to be heading to Aanalong wood for an overnighter next Tuesday but I think that's going to be a big no no and I'm sure it's going to affect everyone who wants to head to Mournes , it seems the fires are getting worse all over Ireland , think a couple of days rain would help everyone, very sad that so much is and has been destroyed .

[surfnscenic]

National news this morning reoprts similar fires across GB on moorlands and forests.

Can you imagine if these areas were buildings for example leisure centres or other sports grounds/areans? There would be such an outcry and full criminal investigations.

Let's hope for rain.

A wet day in the mountains is better than no mountains left.

[DryBag]

There are many possible causes for the gorse fires.  careless campers, dropped cigarrette butts, broken glass is a possibility, but less likely here than in many other countries.  Farmers are allowed to burn whins to engourage new growth, but not after the end of April.  It's possible with the peaty soil that a fire could burn underground for several days, but most farmers have generations of experience doing this, so they know the risks and how to avoid them. 

I'd suggest that the main cause for the fires is the fact that Easter was very late this year, and recreational rioting isn't as popular as it once was. 

[LandyLiam]

here's a great pic

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/plumes-of-smoke-from-northern-ireland-seen-700km-above-earth-15149749.html

[VMCC]

that picture is mental! Makes me want to wring some necks.

[MG1]

Thats crazy!!

[Gerry]

Great coverage on the forum of a sad situation. 

[whoRya]

It actually looks worse than I thought.  Here are some pics, not mine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29093195@N06/5684203282/in/photostream/

The Annalong valley looks very bad indeed.  As does Slieve Beg, right down to the Kilkeel River.

[LandyLiam]

some vids of the fire from mournelive's facebook page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHLPr8UtXNc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43ZYosOK9F8&feature=youtu.be

[VMCC]

I went up to the Sperrins last weekend and took the camera to get some pics. I was so annoyed because the bloody thing had run out of batteries. Anyway everything is black, and the smell is so bad that I couldn't stay at the Gortin lakes which is supposed to be a beauty spot. Half the world was up there on Sunday afternoon so I wasn't the only one going up for a nosy.

The one good thing is that the main road acted as a firebreak.