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Third of conservation site damaged in wildfire

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BBC A small black vehicle with the fire service logo on the side. On the back of its trailer it has yellow pipes. Next to it is a red and yellow fire engine with a metal grey ladder on top. There are shadows of firemen inside the vehicle.BBC

All-terrain vehicles with portable pumps have also been deployed to bring the situation under control

About a third of Slieve Beagh has been damaged due to a cross-border wildfire, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has said.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a report of a fire in Clogher, County Tyrone on Wednesday, which then spread into County Monaghan on Thursday.

As a special protection area (SPA) and special area of conservation (SAC), Slieve Beagh is home to the endangered hen harrier and intact blanket bog habitat.

Fifty firefighters with ten appliances are still tackling the blaze, but the NIFRS said it has been contained.

The multi-agency response which is led by NIFRS is supported by NIEA and the Forest Service.

All-terrain vehicles with portable pumps have also been deployed to bring the situation under control.

This weekend an amber warning for wildfires has been issued for Northern Ireland.

A yellow warning from the National Hazards Partnership, external is also in place on Friday but this will be upgraded for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Dry vegetation and brisker winds conditions create an ideal for wildfires to happen.

A firefighter dressed in a brown suit with a black backpack on and a red hat putting out a fire in a wooded and grassy area.

The fire started in Clogher on Wednesday

What is a SPA and a SAC?

In Northern Ireland, a special area of conservation (SAC) has increased protection under the Conservation Regulations 1995.

The protection is granted if the area contains special habitats or species that are at risk.

It also aims to safeguard biodiversity at both national and international levels.

A special protection area (SPA) is also designated under the Conservation Regulations 1995.

They are important areas for breeding, over-wintering and migrating birds.


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