Consultation on wildfire management in Northern Ireland

Views sought on the strategic way forward for the future management of wildfires in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has published a Consultation on the Strategic Way Forward for the future management of Wildfires in Northern Ireland.

The document outlines five strategic goals for how the wildfire problem should be addressed, to:

• reduce the numbers of wildfires
• lessen the impact of wildfires on the environment, society and the economy
• have a framework for partnership working and shared resources for wildfire prevention, strategic planning and interagency response
• build resilience into those landscapes and habitats most susceptible to wildfire and reduce the risk and/or severity of wildfires
• have communities that are aware and prepared for wildfire events

It sets out six key areas to be addressed and developed as part of the Strategic Way Forward, including:

• governance
• engagement
• land management
• response
• policy, legislation, enforcement
• evidence

Views are sought on the range of proposals to be developed to help shape the final document setting the way forward regarding wildfires. Responses to the consultation will help refine the actions to be taken forward to address the wildfire issue in Northern Ireland.

Find out more about the consultation on wildfires and how to respond.

First published 29 March 2023