The gorse fire at the Glenshane Pass. Pic by Derry Diaspora
The fire is in a remote area of the Sperrins near Dungiven.
Mark Smyth from the Fire & Rescue Service said “great progress” had been made throughout Thursday.
He said there is a possibility the fire could burn out overnight, but if it does not the operation will resume thhis morning, Friday, June 29.
An update the situation is expected later this morning,
The fire was first reported just before 5 am on Wednesday morning.
Heat prevented fire crews getting to the scene for much of the day and they were taken to the scene by helicopter on Wednesday evening.
Conditions were more favourable on Thursday and four fire appliances and a command support unit attended the scene.
One appliance stayed at the scene on Thursday night.
Commander Smyth said they were helped by the weather.
“The good news is that there isn’t much wind, and the wind is blowing against the fire and helping contain it.
“The fire has encroached on part of the forest but the hope is that it will burn out when it hits the more mature trees which tend to burn more slowly,” he said.
Smoke billows from a gorse fire at Glenshane Pass. PIC by NIFRS
“Be very careful not to be putting heat into dry ground and lighting barbecues.
“This was one of our most difficult incidents because of access. It was very dangerous terrain.”
The fire is spread across an area of 800-1000 hectares with three seats of fire.
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