This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8556657.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Plea as grass fires stretch crews | Plea as grass fires stretch crews |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Fire crews have been called to over 100 grass fires across Wales since Friday leading to warnings cover is being stretched to the limit. | Fire crews have been called to over 100 grass fires across Wales since Friday leading to warnings cover is being stretched to the limit. |
| Some of the larger fires have been in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bangor, Gwynedd and on Gower, Swansea. | Some of the larger fires have been in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bangor, Gwynedd and on Gower, Swansea. |
| The three Welsh fire services say some have been started deliberately, either maliciously or by controlled burning by land owners quickly spreading. | The three Welsh fire services say some have been started deliberately, either maliciously or by controlled burning by land owners quickly spreading. |
| People have been warned their lives and those of firefighters are at risk. | |
| On Monday evening South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were "incredibly busy" tackling a series of grass fires in the Rhondda area. | On Monday evening South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were "incredibly busy" tackling a series of grass fires in the Rhondda area. |
| At the same time their colleagues in north Wales were dealing with a large fire on Bangor Mountain and at Mynytho near Pwllheli. | At the same time their colleagues in north Wales were dealing with a large fire on Bangor Mountain and at Mynytho near Pwllheli. |
| In one of the most serious incidents in recent days firefighters from four stations spent around 12 hours dealing with a grass fire that spread over approximately 100 hectares at Rhosilli Hill on Gower. | In one of the most serious incidents in recent days firefighters from four stations spent around 12 hours dealing with a grass fire that spread over approximately 100 hectares at Rhosilli Hill on Gower. |
| Precautions - How you can help Explain to children the dangers of playing with and lighting firesDispose of smoking materials such as cigarettes safelyClear away bottles, glasses and broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sunNever leave camp fires or barbecues unattended and extinguish properly after useDon't attempt to put out grass fires yourself as they can travel very quickly and change direction without warning Report anyone seen deliberately lighting fires, or suspected of starting fires, to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111Source: Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service | |
| Dean Morgan, community safety manager for the Mid and West Wales Service, said the blaze on Sunday was made all the more difficult as crews had to get to the fire on foot due to the terrain. | Dean Morgan, community safety manager for the Mid and West Wales Service, said the blaze on Sunday was made all the more difficult as crews had to get to the fire on foot due to the terrain. |
| "Grass fires can have very serious consequences, these sort of fires are extremely dangerous and unpredictable, and they can quickly spread out of control," he said. | "Grass fires can have very serious consequences, these sort of fires are extremely dangerous and unpredictable, and they can quickly spread out of control," he said. |
| "We have experienced a rise in grass and forestry fires in the past few weeks. | "We have experienced a rise in grass and forestry fires in the past few weeks. |
| "Deliberate fire setting presents a serious risk of injury and death to the fire setter and also the firefighters who attend the incident to extinguish the fire. | "Deliberate fire setting presents a serious risk of injury and death to the fire setter and also the firefighters who attend the incident to extinguish the fire. |
| "These fires prove a huge drain on resources and firefighters tackling these fires may be delayed in attending genuine emergencies such as people trapped in house fires or road accidents." | "These fires prove a huge drain on resources and firefighters tackling these fires may be delayed in attending genuine emergencies such as people trapped in house fires or road accidents." |
| The North Wales Fire Service said one of the biggest problems was landowners attempting controlled burning. | The North Wales Fire Service said one of the biggest problems was landowners attempting controlled burning. |
| 'Gorse and bracken' | 'Gorse and bracken' |
| A spokeswoman said: "Many incidents occur as a result of controlled burning getting out of control and affecting large areas of gorse and bracken. | A spokeswoman said: "Many incidents occur as a result of controlled burning getting out of control and affecting large areas of gorse and bracken. |
| "Quite often these fires happen in areas where access is extremely difficult and water supply is limited. | "Quite often these fires happen in areas where access is extremely difficult and water supply is limited. |
| "Fires like this place tremendous pressure on resources, with firefighters often tied up for a considerable length of time trying to bring these fires under control." | "Fires like this place tremendous pressure on resources, with firefighters often tied up for a considerable length of time trying to bring these fires under control." |
| It has urged landowners to let the service control room know about any controlled burning prior to it starting so resources are not wasted attending a controlled fire. | It has urged landowners to let the service control room know about any controlled burning prior to it starting so resources are not wasted attending a controlled fire. |