Opinion

Opinion: Slieve Donard fire should signal a sea change in attitudes to the Mournes

The huge gorse fire visible across the Mourne Mountains last weekend. Picture by Patrick Corrigan/PA Wire
The huge gorse fire visible across the Mourne Mountains last weekend. Picture by Patrick Corrigan/PA Wire The huge gorse fire visible across the Mourne Mountains last weekend. Picture by Patrick Corrigan/PA Wire

THE blame for the wildfire that devastated swathes of moorland on Ulster's tallest peak undoubtedly lies with the person who through either neglect, malice or sheer stupidity lit the initial flame.

Whether it was a daytripper with a disposable barbecue, hikers lighting a campfire, or a landowner seeking to clear ground for grazing, it was reckless and potentially criminal.

But beyond that individual's responsibility for the fire, this sorry episode has also highlighted collective failure and culpability through complacency and neglect.

We've had numerous wildfires in the Mournes over the past decade or more, yet nobody has been held to account for the destruction, while those tasked with managing the land say resources for preventing such disasters have been "piecemeal".

I dandered up the Bloody Bridge track last Thursday, a matter of hours before the fire began. I walked over Crossone and onto Millstone, one of Donard's foothills left scorched and blackened by the subsequent weekend blaze.

Ian Knox cartoon 27/4/21 
Ian Knox cartoon 27/4/21  Ian Knox cartoon 27/4/21 

The ground was tinder dry and it was clear that even the smallest naked flame would quickly escalate into something dangerous and devastating.

I watched the next day from my home in Lecale, 10 miles across Dundrum Bay, as the fire took hold through Friday morning and later lit the night sky in scenes that were almost apocalyptic.

My thoughts were with the firefighters, as well as the nesting birds, the wild ponies and the rare viviparous lizard, Ireland's only native reptile.

Along with sadness, I also felt a growing anger.

I was angry with those who have continually resisted independent environmental oversight, those who said no to a national park for the Mournes, and those who consistently fail to call out and prosecute landowners who habitually use fire to clear ground for livestock grazing.

The value of farming in the Mournes compared to the area's leisure, tourist and environmental worth is negligible yet sectional interests are able to dictate policy for an asset that is utilised by us all.

There are presently a host of organisations responsible for managing the Mournes, including the National Trust, Forest Service, Mourne Heritage Trust, NI Water and the Environment Agency.

Despite the best efforts of some, the strategy for protection, access and creating the necessary infrastructure for growing visitor numbers is either non-existent or incoherent.

It's also worth noting that the much-cited designation of Area of Outstanding Beauty is nothing more than a collection of flowery words.

On a wider issue, the Covid pandemic has shown that Northern Ireland is ill-prepared for the surge in numbers of people wanting to use the outdoors for leisure purposes.

There's been plenty of talk in recent years of a greenway network and improving public access yet across the region we still have limited options for walking routes and car parks that are packed from first light.

The cause and Fire & Rescue Service response to the Slieve Donard blaze, along with what should have been in place to prevent it, need to be closely scrutinised and met with more than just regret and rhetoric.

There also needs to be a sea change in thinking about how we protect, manage and use the Mournes and other parts of the countryside for the benefit of both the public and the area's habitats.