What is the name and location of the wildfire?
As of April 30, 2026, major wildfires are burning across the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland. The fires have affected large areas of heathland and mountain terrain near the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Fire crews have responded to multiple blazes across the region, with strong winds and dry conditions contributing to rapid fire spread (1).
Fire map of Mourne Mountains, County Down, Northern Ireland as of April 30, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Which cities or areas are affected by the Mourne Mountains Fire?
The Mourne Mountains Fire is affecting several areas in County Down, including:
- Kilkeel
- Mourne Mountains
- Newcastle
- Rostrevor
- Silent Valley area
Smoke and wildfire activity have impacted nearby rural communities and popular outdoor recreation areas across the Mourne region (2).
What is the current containment status of the Mourne Mountains Fire?
Firefighting operations remain ongoing across the Mourne Mountains. More than 45 firefighters have been deployed to battle multiple fire fronts in difficult mountainous terrain.
Authorities have not announced a full containment percentage, but emergency crews continue efforts to prevent further spread as dry vegetation and shifting winds increase wildfire risk (3).
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
No large-scale evacuation orders have been reported. However, authorities have urged the public to avoid affected mountain areas while emergency operations continue.
Safety alerts remain in place due to wildfire smoke, active fire fronts, and dangerous conditions across hiking and recreation areas in the Mourne Mountains region.
How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
