Skip to content

New wildfire warnings as high temperatures continue

Barra Best
BBC News NI weather presenter
PA Media The Mourne Mountains can be seen in the distance with smoke from wildfires filling the blue sky. In the foreground three firefighters wearing high vis protective clothing talk. They are standing beside three fire service vehicles. They are red and yellow and one says: "Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service".PA Media
Firefighters tackled a spate of wildfires in the Mourne Mountains in April

New warnings for wildfires have been issued as high temperatures are set to continue.

There is a yellow warning for wildfires from the National Hazards Partnership in place from Thursday across Northern Ireland, meaning there is a likelihood of manageable wildfires.

The warning is set to be elevated to amber on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, meaning an increased risk of difficult-to-control wildfires.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has appealed for people to follow advice to keep Northern Ireland safe from wildfires.

This includes no BBQs or campfires in the countryside and to not drop cigarettes or matches.

Mourne Heritage Trust estimated a fire in Silent Valley in April spread over 1,500-1,700 acres.

During the height of last month's wildfires there were 147 fires across the Mourne Mountains.

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Positive weather forecast

A prolonged spell of dry, sunny, and warm weather is set to last into next week.

Temperatures climbed into the low 20s on Tuesday in the west, well above the May average of 14.8C.

With high pressure dominating, this trend is set to continue for the rest of this week, and over the weekend.

The coming days will seen plenty of sunshine with temperatures climbing close to the mid-20s inland and towards the west.

Coastal areas will typically be cooler with thermometers reaching the mid-to high teens.

The weekend will offer more of the same with temperatures of about 23-24C in the west, and around 18C along the coast.

Looking ahead, the settled weather is set to persist into early next week although there is some uncertainty later in the week as high pressure begins to shift.

BBC Weather Watcher Sharon D A field of tall green wheat grass. In the distance the silhouette of mountains are lit up by an orange sunrise. BBC Weather Watcher Sharon D
Hot weather is continuing across Northern Ireland

The RNLI has warned of the dangers of entering the water during spells of good weather.

Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI water safety lead, urged the public to be aware of the dangers, know their limits and not to take risks.

"Go with others and look out for each other. Make sure your phone is charged so you can call for help if you come across anyone who needs it," she said.

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Swimmers have also been warned of the dangers of being tempted to swim in quarry water.

Water in quarries can be extremely cold, deep and contain hidden hazards such as abandoned machinery and ledges.

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

'Use our water supply wisely'

Maynard Cousley, Water Supply Senior Manager with NI Water, said Northern Ireland has experienced a winter and spring with "less than average rainfall".

He said rain in mid-April has brought reservoir levels back up and the overall storage is now sitting at 88% capacity, but with the Met Office forecasting dry and reasonably warm weather for the next week "we cannot take our water supply for granted".

"We must use our water supply wisely so we can conserve it for when we need it most," Mr Cousley added.

Getty Images Water is coming out of a green and grey hose which is being used in the garden. A person is holding it who is wearing a grey long sleeved top, their face and body is not in shot. There are tall green plants around the border of the garden.Getty Images
Several areas in the Republic of Ireland are under hosepipe ban orders

Hosepipe ban

In the Republic of Ireland, where similar conditions are persisting, several areas are under hosepipe ban orders.

They include Mildford in Donegal, Mulligan in Westmeath, and Kells-Oldcastle in County Meath.

Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) has urged communities across Donegal to make every effort to conserve and reduce water usage.

Meanwhile residents on County Galway's Inis Óirr are facing night time restrictions in order to protect the island's water supply.