Silent Valley Mountain Park closes as firefighters tackle ‘deliberate’ wildfire in the Mournes

Silent Valley Mountain Park has been temporarily shut to the public as emergency services continue to battle a significant wildfire in the area, which authorities believe was deliberately started.

NI Water, which manages the park, announced the closure on Sunday morning, 6 April, citing safety concerns following a “major incident” declared by firefighters on Saturday evening.

The blaze, centred on Sandbank Road, began at 5pm on Saturday, 5 April, prompting a robust response from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS). At its peak, 15 fire appliances and more than 100 firefighters were deployed, working through the night in challenging conditions marked by high winds.

The operation saw collaboration with partner agencies to contain the fire, which forced the evacuation of several residents from homes along Sandbank and Kilbroney roads as a precautionary measure.

Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings described the effort as a testament to the dedication of NIFRS personnel.

“At 03:00hrs on 6th April 2025, we began scaling back resources as the fire came under control, though operations remain ongoing,” he said. “The cause of this fire is believed to have been deliberate, and we are urging the public to stay vigilant.”

Jennings also praised the tireless work of firefighters, control room operators, and support staff, who have managed 741 emergency calls since midnight on 3 April amid a surge in wildfire incidents across Northern Ireland.

NI Water’s Ciaran Diamond expressed regret over the closure of Silent Valley Mountain Park, a popular destination that had only recently partially reopened following damage from Storm Éowyn earlier in the week.

“We know how much our visitors love Silent Valley, but public safety must come first,” Diamond said. “The park will remain closed from today, Sunday 6th April 2025, until further notice.”

He underscored the broader risks posed by wildfires, noting their threat to human life, wildlife, the environment, and critical drinking water catchment areas. “Activities such as littering, using disposable barbecues, and burning waste heighten the danger, particularly in breezy conditions,” he added, urging the public to exercise caution.

The wildfire crisis has extended beyond Hilltown. On Sunday morning, police confirmed the closure of Slievenaman Road in Newcastle due to a separate gorse fire in the Mournes, with Ott Car Park also off-limits.

Authorities have requested that the public, including motorists, avoid travelling to the affected areas.

An amber warning for wildfires remains in effect across Northern Ireland, with NIFRS appealing for heightened awareness. “We can reassure the public that normal service delivery is being maintained despite these pressures,” Jennings said.

The service has issued clear guidance to mitigate risks, advising against lighting fires in forests or open land, attempting to fight blazes, or discarding flammable materials carelessly. “If you see someone deliberately setting fires, report it to the PSNI immediately—it’s a criminal offence,” the NIFRS stressed.

NI Water echoed this call, offering practical do’s and don’ts for countryside visitors: leave no trace, take rubbish away, avoid fly-tipping, extinguish cigarettes properly, and refrain from using open fires.

“If you spot a fire, move to a safe location and dial 999,” the agency advised, urging cooperation with emergency instructions.