Paul Frew warns North Antrim Hills face growing wildfire risk this summer

The Garron Plateau, part of the Antrim Hills.

(Image: GOA Insta)

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has warned that more must be done to protect the North Antrim Hills from the threat of wildfires this summer, arguing current measures are not enough as dry conditions increase concern across Northern Ireland.

The DUP representative raised the issue directly with Andrew Muir, questioning what action the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is taking to reduce the risk of major fires in an area he says remains particularly vulnerable.

The intervention comes after recent wildfire incidents in County Down reignited concerns about the danger posed by prolonged dry weather, particularly across upland and rural landscapes in Northern Ireland.

Concerns over protection of North Antrim Hills

Mr Frew said the North Antrim Hills are especially susceptible to wildfires and warned stronger preventative action is needed before conditions worsen during the summer months.

Speaking after raising the issue in the Assembly, he said:

“After the recent incidents of wildfires in County Down, I questioned the DAERA Minister in the Assembly about what action his Department is taking to mitigate against the risk of wildfires in the North Antrim Hills, an area that is susceptible to wildfires.”

The minister outlined a number of measures already being undertaken by the department, including wildfire management and response plans linked to the Antrim Hills Special Protection Area.

DAERA has also supported restoration work on blanket bog habitats in the Antrim Hills, including projects at the Garron Plateau, which can help improve land resilience and environmental protection.

Calls for stronger action before summer conditions worsen

Despite acknowledging those measures, Mr Frew said the department’s response still falls short of what is needed to properly protect the area.

“Whilst I acknowledge the efforts so far, the reality is the DAERA Minister Andrew Muir is not doing enough to protect the North Antrim Hills,” he said.

“The Minister must do more to work and engage with landowners along the North Antrim Hills to manage land and mitigate risk of wildfires breaking out over the drier months.”

He also called for stronger coordination between government, landowners and local communities to reduce the risk of serious fires spreading across the landscape.

“Action must be taken, and robust plans must be put in place that include landowners and local residents to ensure that the area is as well protected as possible from wildfires this summer,” he added.

Why the warning matters locally

Wildfires can cause significant environmental damage across upland areas, destroy wildlife habitats and place major pressure on emergency services during periods of prolonged dry weather.

In North Antrim, large stretches of open countryside, peatland and hill terrain can become vulnerable during warmer conditions, particularly where dry vegetation allows fires to spread rapidly.

The warning also comes as Northern Ireland has already experienced several significant wildfire incidents in recent years, with concerns regularly raised about the impact on rural communities, farming land, biodiversity and public safety.

The Garron Plateau, referenced by the minister in response to Mr Frew’s question, is regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s most environmentally important peatland areas and forms part of wider conservation efforts aimed at protecting sensitive habitats across the Antrim Hills.

With summer approaching, pressure is likely to grow on Stormont departments and land management agencies to demonstrate what additional steps are being taken to prevent further large-scale fires across vulnerable rural areas.