Arsonists are being blamed for starting around 15 gorse fires in the Garrison and Belcoo area since the beginning of April.

Constable David Beattie of the Fermanagh West Neighbourhood Policing Team warns that lives and property are being put at risk. He is urging those involved in starting the fires to consider the possible consequences of their actions on their community.

“There have been around 15 incidents of fires being deliberately set in the Garrison and Belcoo areas since April 1, many of them in the vicinity of the Callagheen wind farm,” explains Constable Beattie.

“Gorse fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife, as well as threatening homes and farms in the area,” he points out.

“The unpredictability of fire can also mean that those setting them may be putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of the Fire Service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them. There can also be untold consequences to tying up crucial emergency resources that may be needed elsewhere,” he adds.

“We are asking for the community’s help in identifying those involved in these recent incidents,” says Constable Beattie. “Officers can be contacted on the new non-emergency number 101.”