Firefighters tackle wildfire near Glenshane Pass

By David Young, PA

More than 30 firefighters were involved in tackling a gorse fire in Co Derry on Saturday.

The blaze took hold close to the Glenshane Road over the Sperrin Mountains near Maghera.

Police advised motorists to avoid the area while the fire service operation continued.

Firefighters have already dealt with around 350 wildfires across Northern Ireland in just over a week.

Those included a significant blaze in the Mourne Mountains in Co Down last weekend, which sparked a major incident and saw people evacuated from their homes.

Many of the fires are believed to have been started deliberately.