Mournes, Do you know the areas affected by fires?

[MikeD]

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone been up the mournes that could let me know what areas to avoid due to being burnt by the gorse fires, as I might take go up over the weekend for a long walk?

And there's nothing worse then walking through those burnt sections, shoes get boggin.

Mike

[LandyLiam]

The Annalong Valley seems to be the worst hit an probably best avoided, other areas affected seem to be more localised any fairly easy to walk around.

[surfnscenic]

During the week I looked up the Mourne information websites but no new updates there.  I thought they would have had something consolidated for tourists, walkers locals.

[MikeD]

Cheers, it is a poor show that this info isn't readily available, especially from Newcastle tourism point of view.

[LandyLiam]

they think they can announce to the media the mournes are closed then forget to announce they are open again, i often wonder if this country really does want tourists 

[whoRya]

I'm interested to see what the Annalong Valley, Beg, Cove, Lamagan & Binnian look like.  I'm sure there will be some photos around soon.  I had planned to take a group up in two weeks time to go that route. 

I'm sure it's a no go.  When it's dry you'll be kicking soot up in everyones faces, when it's wet I can only imagine the soggy mess it would be.

[surfnscenic]

Herewith copy of my query to Mourne Heritage Trust.

http://mournelive.com/contactus/confirm.asp


I'm not sure who to ask but would be grateful if you could  advise if I can go walking again in the Mournes after the recent fires.  If so what are the access points to use and areas to avoid.  There is a lack of information available subsequent to the advice to stay away.  Not good for tourists or locals. Thank you.

[spartan00117]

I was planning on going up this weekend anyway.  Anyone want to tag along more than welcome.  May even go up Friday evening for a quick jaunt.

[surfnscenic]

Just checked emails and no response from Mourne Heritage Trust to my email query as above.   I'll try and make a few phone calls tomorrow.

[whoRya]

A copy & paste from the MHT website. 

"Update on the Wildfires in the Mournes 4 May 2011

 
An initial inspection of areas in the Annalong Valley by Mourne Heritage Trust Countryside staff suggest that it has experienced a surface burn only with roots and seed bark appearing to be largely unaffected in the areas surveyed to date. However on huge area – several hundred acres – has been scarred by the recent fires and will take a significant time to recover, even if the fire has not damaged the underlying peat and soil.

Some pockets of vegetation continue to smoulder and the advice from the Fire and Rescue Service is that the fire risk will remain high for at least as long as the dry spell continues. Fortunately the badly needed rain appears to be on the way, forecast for Wednesday night / early Thursday morning."

[surfnscenic]

Reply from Mourne Heritage Trust


The NI Fire and Rescue service have advised that the fires are under control however, when entering the mountains to exercise due care.   We have been advised that the most effected areas are Trassey Track, Annalong Valley and Yellow Water Forest . 



Any updates we receive is available to read on our website, facebook and twitter. 

[LandyLiam]

ok, i got 2 outta 3, but where is yellow water forest (sorry, map is in the car and i've no shoes on  )

[surfnscenic]

I think there's such a forest in the western Mournes north of Rostrevor and south of Leitrim Lodge, at least there's a Yellow Water River with forest beside it.

[Paul72]

I think there's such a forest in the western Mournes north of Rostrevor and south of Leitrim Lodge, at least there's a Yellow Water River with forest beside it.

There's a car park and picnic area there, I quite often park there to head up to the forest in Kilbroney Red Bog.  From what I saw on the TV pictures it looked like the other side of the road was affected but I could be wrong and haven't been up since before Easter.  I hope it's not too badly affected, that's one of my favourite spots for a day's walk in the Mournes.

[LennyJ1]

I was in the mournes yesterday and was walking along the Annalong Woods and the outside of the wood looked fine but looking into the wood and towards the middle of the wood it has been desamated. There is still the sound of birds in the trees and the air is full with the smell of bonfire. It is a very sad sight towards the end of the wood, it reminds me on a napalm strike from a vietnam film (Platoon).

But on the good side there is still a camping area avalible around 100 from the end of the wood. A large green area that was not affected by the fire, there is the smell of camp fire but sure you would be smelling of that anyway.