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Borth fire crews tackle bog blaze near Aberystwyth Borth fire crews tackle bog blaze near Aberystwyth
(35 minutes later)
A fire is raging on peat bogland behind a Ceredigion coastal village, causing smoke to billow over the area.A fire is raging on peat bogland behind a Ceredigion coastal village, causing smoke to billow over the area.
Fire crews were called to land close to High Street, Borth, near Aberystwyth, on Friday at 05:20 GMT.Fire crews were called to land close to High Street, Borth, near Aberystwyth, on Friday at 05:20 GMT.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service say the blaze covers approximately a hectare (2.5 acres).Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service say the blaze covers approximately a hectare (2.5 acres).
A spokesperson said the fire is subject to controlled burning at the moment. It was not immediately known what caused it to start.A spokesperson said the fire is subject to controlled burning at the moment. It was not immediately known what caused it to start.
Resident Bryn Jones described the scene as "incredible" given the harsh wet weather of late.Resident Bryn Jones described the scene as "incredible" given the harsh wet weather of late.
"You can see flames and smoke along the back of the village," he told BBC Radio Wales, adding that it was not close to homes."You can see flames and smoke along the back of the village," he told BBC Radio Wales, adding that it was not close to homes.
The Ceredigion coast has borne the brunt of stormy weather in recent times, with buildings damaged by high winds this week.The Ceredigion coast has borne the brunt of stormy weather in recent times, with buildings damaged by high winds this week.
The seafront at Aberystwyth needed repairs after taking a battering from stormy seas in January.The seafront at Aberystwyth needed repairs after taking a battering from stormy seas in January.
Borth bog is part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve and is managed by Natural Resources Wales.Borth bog is part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve and is managed by Natural Resources Wales.
Bangor University wetland science and conservation expert Dr Christian Dunn said scale of the fires now is "very surprising" given the weather.Bangor University wetland science and conservation expert Dr Christian Dunn said scale of the fires now is "very surprising" given the weather.
"Peat can burn incredibly well," he said. "This is why it's been burnt for centuries as a fuel."Peat can burn incredibly well," he said. "This is why it's been burnt for centuries as a fuel.
"But usually these are in the summer as the peat has to be dry to burn well, so to see the scale of these fires now is very surprising."But usually these are in the summer as the peat has to be dry to burn well, so to see the scale of these fires now is very surprising.
"It may be that the area of peatland has drainage channels cut into it and the strong winds have helped dry off the top layer."It may be that the area of peatland has drainage channels cut into it and the strong winds have helped dry off the top layer.
"There's no way of knowing at the moment though how it started. It could have even been from a lightning strike during the storms or perhaps the elusive will-o'-the-wisp."There's no way of knowing at the moment though how it started. It could have even been from a lightning strike during the storms or perhaps the elusive will-o'-the-wisp.
"This, I'm afraid to say, is not caused by goblins or fairies but by the spontaneous combustion of certain gases from the peat bog; a fact which always seems to disappoint the students on Bangor University's wetland science course.""This, I'm afraid to say, is not caused by goblins or fairies but by the spontaneous combustion of certain gases from the peat bog; a fact which always seems to disappoint the students on Bangor University's wetland science course."
Borth and the surrounding area also featured prominently in the BBC Wales TV crime drama series Hinterland.