The framework, put forward by Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, follows a spate of wildfires across the Mournes and Sperrins earlier this year.

Mr McMurray has said: “Rural arson has been a recurrent scourge on the Mournes for many years and I commend Minister Muir for launching this long-awaited framework, which will help end the harm caused by so-called wildfires.

“These fires, which are often started maliciously or by negligence, destroy already fragile habitats, endanger the health and safety of local communities, and hurt local economies. They also come at a substantial cost to the taxpayer.

“The Minister’s new framework focuses on prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement. It includes plans to review key legislation on controlled burns, enforcement and prosecution, as well as other actions, such as early alert systems and wildfire response and management plans.

“I was also pleased to see the inclusion of peatland restoration, which not only helps control the spread of wildfires, but has the added benefit of improving water quality, acting as a carbon sink and providing valuable habitats. I want to commend landowners, farmers, and other agencies for coming together to create a framework for a more wildfire-resilient Northern Ireland. It identifies key areas for development, which will lead to a subsequent action plan and a longer-term Wildfire Strategy.

“There is work to do, but I truly believe this will be a milestone in addressing wildfires in the Mournes and elsewhere in Northern Ireland.”