More than 20 firefighters extinguish blaze on Black Mountain after over 100 calls

Firefighters from Springfield, Whitla and Westland fire stations were in attendance after the service received over a hundred calls in relation to the blaze, including concerns from local MLAs.

They battled six-foot high trees alight with hoses that spanned over half a mile across the mountainous terrain.

One woman posted online that she could smell the smoke from the fire from as far as the Falls Road.

Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly expressed her shock.

She said: “Black Mountain is an environmental treasure, and it’s absolutely shocking to see a fire burning on it tonight.

“This threatens wildlife and natural habitat on the mountain, and the surrounding community.

"I understand fire appliances are currently at the scene and I would encourage the community to allow them space while they deal with the fire.

“If the fire was started deliberately, those responsible must face the full force of the law, and I would encourage anyone with information to bring it forward.”

Firefighters continuing to tackle wildfires in the Mourne Mountains

Meanwhile, police are deploying specialist units to survey the Mourne Mountains to help them locate potential suspects of arson.

Firefighters in Northern Ireland received 240 calls on Monday with 27 of them involving wildfires, as they continue to battle a number of gorse fires.

In a new update on Tuesday, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said over 75 firefighters had been involved in tackling a fire front of two miles in the Bloody Bridge area of the Mourne Mountains, which has now been dealt with.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but police are currently treating it as arson.

Over 16 firefighters are now additionally at the scene of another wildfire close to Bloody Bridge on the Slieve Bearnagh area.

In the Western Area Command, firefighters were called to gorse on fire in the White Bridge area of Ballygawley, Co Tyrone today at 1.57pm.

There are currently four fire appliances and over 20 firefighters battling a one-mile fire front.

NIFRS said they also continue to respond to other emergencies in the community, including a house fire in Newry and a fire in a flat in Belfast.

Firefighters were also called to a potential aircraft incident in Enniskillen earlier today, although no action was required on arrival.

A yellow weather warning for wildfires remains in place.