DAERA Minister Andrew Muir stated in the Northern Ireland Assembly that an action plan to address wildfires in areas including the Mournes will be completed within weeks.

South Down MLA Andrew McMurray questioned the minister on preparations for wildfire outbreaks in the Mournes. Muir outlined actions under development to support the Wildfires in Northern Ireland Strategic Framework 2025-2030, published in October.

The framework covers prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement across 35 development areas. Its goal is a wildfire-resilient Northern Ireland through collaboration among communities, agencies and landowners to cut wildfire incidents and protect life and the environment.

The action plan emerges from the Strategic Wildfire Group and Northern Ireland Wildfire Stakeholder Forum. It sets time-bound steps for each framework area, with delivery by multiple stakeholders.

Some actions have started. DAERA awarded a multi-year contract for management and response plans at sites in the Mournes, Antrim Hills and Carn/Glenshane.

PEACEPLUS funding supports further plans, such as at Slieve Beagh in Fermanagh. Northern Ireland Water assesses mitigations and restoration at Silent Valley catchment.

For the 2026 season, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service ran a stakeholder event in November 2025. The service and Forest Service met on 6 March 2026. Northern Ireland Environment Agency serviced all-terrain vehicles for incidents. Pre-season communications are in progress, and Mournes restoration work continues.