Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
We were up near annalong bordering on the low Mournes on Saturday and we noticed where the recent heather and gorse fires had been on the hills. They were black and charred. This burning has been going on every year in the spring and summer for decades.
Sheep farmers in particular want to get rid of the heather and thick difficult to get rid of, gorse and thus give their sheep as much parture as possible. Sheep farming plays a major role in bringing in income to support their families. So why wopuldn't the farmers burn off the whines/gorse and heather to get future grass for their animals.
Conservationalists would argue that setting hill fires is dangerously irresponsible. Someone could get trapped and die in the fast moving wall of flame. Firemen and fire vehicles responding to deliberately set hill fires are diverted from real fire incidents where someone could need their help. Farm buildings, homes, forested areas all are put in danger in any large unpredictable fire. Wildlife flora and fauna is wiped out and the hills are left a charred balckened mess. Tourists, whether they be hikers or runners or folk who want to enjoy the views, will not want to go to visit the Mournes to see a charred landscape.
What is the answer?
Anyone?
We were up near annalong bordering on the low Mournes on Saturday and we noticed where the recent heather and gorse fires had been on the hills. They were black and charred. This burning has been going on every year in the spring and summer for decades.
Sheep farmers in particular want to get rid of the heather and thick difficult to get rid of, gorse and thus give their sheep as much parture as possible. Sheep farming plays a major role in bringing in income to support their families. So why wopuldn't the farmers burn off the whines/gorse and heather to get future grass for their animals.
Conservationalists would argue that setting hill fires is dangerously irresponsible. Someone could get trapped and die in the fast moving wall of flame. Firemen and fire vehicles responding to deliberately set hill fires are diverted from real fire incidents where someone could need their help. Farm buildings, homes, forested areas all are put in danger in any large unpredictable fire. Wildlife flora and fauna is wiped out and the hills are left a charred balckened mess. Tourists, whether they be hikers or runners or folk who want to enjoy the views, will not want to go to visit the Mournes to see a charred landscape.
What is the answer?
Anyone?
