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Dry weather warning during fire strike in Wales Dry weather warning during fire strike in Wales
(about 9 hours later)
Fire chiefs have warned the public to take extra care in the dry weather, as the sunny spells coincide with the latest firefighters' strike. Fire chiefs warned the public to take extra care in the dry weather, as the sunny spells coincided with the latest firefighters' strike.
The action takes place between 1000 and 1700 BST as part of an ongoing national dispute over pension reforms. The action took place between 1000 and 1700 BST as part of an ongoing national dispute over pension reforms.
People have been urged to take care with barbecues and warned of the risk of accidentally starting grass fires. People were urged to take care with barbecues and warned of the risk of accidentally starting grass fires.
The Welsh government said it was working with the fire authorities to minimise the impact of the strikes.The Welsh government said it was working with the fire authorities to minimise the impact of the strikes.
South Wales Fire and Rescue urged vigilance and issued safety advice, while North Wales Fire and Rescue warned because of the circumstances "services may be limited".South Wales Fire and Rescue urged vigilance and issued safety advice, while North Wales Fire and Rescue warned because of the circumstances "services may be limited".
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it had a number of staff who are not FBU-affiliated who would be working as usual. It urged people to dial 999 in an emergency. Before the strike, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it had a number of staff who were not FBU-affiliated who would work as usual. It urged people to dial 999 in an emergency.
Assistant chief fire officer Rob Quin said: "During the summer grass and mountains can become very dry which means if you deliberately or accidentally start a fire outdoors it will spread very quickly destroying everything in its path.Assistant chief fire officer Rob Quin said: "During the summer grass and mountains can become very dry which means if you deliberately or accidentally start a fire outdoors it will spread very quickly destroying everything in its path.
"A lot of people will be thinking about having a barbecue over the weekend and you need to make sure you have it in a suitable and safe area, never leave unattended and always extinguish properly.""A lot of people will be thinking about having a barbecue over the weekend and you need to make sure you have it in a suitable and safe area, never leave unattended and always extinguish properly."
The fire service also warned motorists to be vigilant on the roads, in a week in which four members of a family were killed in a tanker crash on the A44 between Llangurig in Powys and Ponterwyd in Ceredigion.The fire service also warned motorists to be vigilant on the roads, in a week in which four members of a family were killed in a tanker crash on the A44 between Llangurig in Powys and Ponterwyd in Ceredigion.
Mr Quin added: "At this time of year, it is easy to get complacent about the dangers on the road during long summer days and evenings." After the seven-hour strike, the service said it had attended nine incidents, including a fire and a flood.
He said drivers should take care with speed and not to drink and drive. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Richie Prendergast said he was pleased with how South Wales Fire and Rescue Service had managed its services.
The FBU is taking part in its 14th strike of a series started last September and wants firefighters to be allowed to retire earlier than other workers from such a physically demanding job. "As expected, the number of firefighters from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service who chose to strike was high, which resulted in a large reduction in the resources that we had at our disposal.
'Constructive meetings''Constructive meetings'
"As such, we were unable to provide the same high level of response to incidents as we normally would and as a consequence prioritised our response to those in most critical need."
The FBU was taking part in its 14th strike since last September. It wants firefighters to be allowed to retire earlier than other workers from the physically demanding job.
Matt Wrack, general secretary called for a "more affordable, workable and fair pension scheme than is currently on offer" for Wales and England.Matt Wrack, general secretary called for a "more affordable, workable and fair pension scheme than is currently on offer" for Wales and England.
The Welsh government said it was committed to collective pensions arrangements which follow similar approaches to those being taken elsewhere in the UK.The Welsh government said it was committed to collective pensions arrangements which follow similar approaches to those being taken elsewhere in the UK.
"We continue to work with the three fire and rescue authorities on contingency plans to minimise the impact this strike will have on Wales," said a spokesman."We continue to work with the three fire and rescue authorities on contingency plans to minimise the impact this strike will have on Wales," said a spokesman.
"Welsh ministers have held regular and constructive meetings with the FBU to discuss pension issues and we have been clear on our commitment to public service pension schemes which are affordable, sustainable and fair to all public service workers."