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In pictures: Mourne Mountains gorse fire engulfs the slopes of Slieve Donard

Firefighters are continuing to tackle a fierce blaze on steep slopes Slieve Donard.

The NI Fire and Rescue Service has declared the fire on the Mourne Mountains in County Down a "major incident".

Scenes unfolding in the area of outstanding natural beauty have been described as "deeply distressing".

News imageNI Fire and Rescue Service Gorse fire MournesNI Fire and Rescue Service
There was hope on Friday morning that the gorse fire could be easily contained
News imageBrenda Horgan Fire engine in the MournesBrenda Horgan
Up to 70 firefighters negotiated challenging terrain to tackle the blaze
News imagePacemaker FirefightersPacemaker
But easterly winds soon caused the fire to spread across the lower slopes of Slieve Donard, the Glen River Valley and Thomas Mountain
News imagePaul Toner Smoke and flames could be seen from as far away as BelfastPaul Toner
Smoke and flames could be seen from as far away as Belfast
News imagePAcemaker Fire on Mourne MountainsPAcemaker
Tributes have been paid to the "heroic work" of the emergency services
News imagePacemaker Firefighter with shovelPacemaker
Fire appliances have been unable to reach the fire on the steep mountain slopes - firefighters have been beating the flames with shovels
News imagePacemaker PacemakerPacemaker
Efforts to contain the blaze on Northern Ireland's highest mountain continued on Friday and Saturday
News imageChris Feenan Fire on Mourne MountainsChris Feenan
But as daylight faded on Friday, the severity of the fire was brought into sharp relief against the shadow of the mountains
News imageBrenda Hogan Mournes fireBrenda Hogan
The fire continued to burn as fire crews retreated overnight on Friday, ready to direct "significant resources" to the Mourne Mountains on Saturday
News imageTony Watson Smoke over the MournesTony Watson
Police have urged the public to stay away from the area on Saturday to allow firefighters to concentrate on the blaze