Couple caught up in forest fire .

[big chris]

http://www.u.tv/News/Couple-caught-up-in-forest-fire/9ee794ac-a41d-4508-99ad-033c745abaf8

[LandyLiam]

I've spoken to some walkers who were up in the hills and they say the whole side of binnion is now on fire 

[Paul72]

JUst been watching this on the news, I'm sickened by it.  How badly damaged is Annalong Wood?  Also noticed that area of Rostrevor forest that was on fire was in the area where I was walking last week!

Let's hope it rains soon

[whoRya]

Was up during the week and it is really getting out of hand.  Everywhere you look it has been burnt.  How can it be handled?

[suspectmonkey]

There was some coverage of this on UTV Live at 6pm this evening.  You can watch the footage on the UTV Player here.

Truly sickened watching this, don't really have words to express my absolute disgust and anger!  Watching that video I can't see there being too much of Annalong Wood left to camp in, and looks like the rest of the summer trudging around the Mournes will be like walking in an ash tray

[LandyLiam]

from mmrt website


Annalong Wood now 



the fire last night

[LandyLiam]

this was binnion and rocky mountain a few hours ago (from quarter road)

[Scribble]

I don't want to offend anyone on this site but I only speak what I have been told and I could of been told wrong but most fires not all are started diberatley by farmers who understand the directions of the wind and the way the fires will spread to cause new shoots to grow in a few days after fires have died out for their livestock that seems to vanish off the hillsides when a fire takes hold  (or before). I know this happens all over the south of Ireland and is a common practice but it also seems little shites also know when the vegation is at it's prime to set a match to , I think it wil only be a short time before someone is eventually caught up in this and becomes a fatality .this is just my understanding and opinion

Andy

[alanrsv]

Annalong valley today looking from annalong buttress

[VMCC]

what's going on with these fires? Are they set by farmers - ie deliberately and for a reason or are they set by eejits? (I suspect the latter)

[surfnscenic]

I like all of you on this forum and all folks am just gutted by this damage to the mountains and danger caused to people including firefighters. This mornings Television Belfast Telegraph has coverage including a piece by a journalist who grew up in Australia. When caught those responsible must receive realistic punishment. Do we need to forfeit good weather for a period of rain?

[KittyKatArmstrong]

I grew up in Mallorca and the vast majority of forest fires over there are caused by two things - cigarette butts and glass bottles.  With the weather we've had here recently it could quite easily be either of them, hot sun and dry tinder everywhere People over here haven't grown up with the idea that litter causes forest fires.

We used to lose our electricity and phone for the entire village every time there was a fire because the wires ran over the mountains through the forest, and we'd usually get a couple of fires a year along our bit of coast.  Pine trees quite often survive the fire and come back to life after a year or so if they don't actually burn to the ground and the undergrowth actually improves but definitely not recommended!  Very scary to be near one.  They used to try and put them out with aeroplanes full of water but I'm not sure how much use they ever were.

[KittyKatArmstrong]

And now Benaughlin next to Cuilcagh is on fire, can see it burning from my house

[LandyLiam]

Happy Valley forest now in cinders   also a big fire near start of the Trassey track so Clonachullian Wood may also go up in flames.





happy valley forest (on the trassey road)


close up of happy valley forest

[KittyKatArmstrong]

Benaughlin, Cuilcagh, Trien and Slieve Rushden are all burning.  Can see it all from my house