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Wildfires putting 'tremendous pressure' on firefighters Wildfires putting 'tremendous pressure' on firefighters
(about 4 hours later)
People have been urged to ensure they extinguish barbecues and cigarettes to prevent wildfires after a spate left fire crews "under pressure". A spate of wildfires have put crews under "tremendous pressure," prompting a call for people to put out barbecues and cigarettes to prevent any more.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has had to deal with a number of fires in the last 24 hours, one of which involved homes being evacuated. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with multiple fires in the past 24 hours, one of which involved homes being evacuated.
The hot weather may have been the only contributory factor in some cases but discarded hot objects can be another. The hot weather may have been the only contributory factor in some cases, but discarded hot objects can be another.
Fires have started across all parts of Wales over the last week. Fires have broken out across all parts of Wales over the past seven days
Kevin Roberts, senior fire safety manager at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said it was too early to determine the cause of the fire. Kevin Roberts, senior fire safety manager at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "These fires place tremendous pressure on our resources.
"These fires place tremendous pressure on our resources," he said.
"In these dry conditions, fires involving grass, bracken and heather can develop extremely quickly, especially in raised winds, and fires can soon get out of control."In these dry conditions, fires involving grass, bracken and heather can develop extremely quickly, especially in raised winds, and fires can soon get out of control.
"So if you are out, it is more important than ever in these conditions to make sure that any smoking materials are discarded and extinguished properly."So if you are out, it is more important than ever in these conditions to make sure that any smoking materials are discarded and extinguished properly.
"If you are out camping, again make sure that campfires or barbeques are fully extinguished. Better still, avoid open fires altogether in this dry period.""If you are out camping, again make sure that campfires or barbeques are fully extinguished. Better still, avoid open fires altogether in this dry period."
In Gwynedd, 15 homes were evacuated on Monday evening as crews fought a mile-long mountain fire at Mynydd Cilgwyn in Carmel, near Caernarfon.In Gwynedd, 15 homes were evacuated on Monday evening as crews fought a mile-long mountain fire at Mynydd Cilgwyn in Carmel, near Caernarfon.
Overnight and 20 miles away, residents in Braichmelyn, near Bethesda, were on standby to leave their homes when a fire broke out in a nearby pine forest at about 03:10 BST.Overnight and 20 miles away, residents in Braichmelyn, near Bethesda, were on standby to leave their homes when a fire broke out in a nearby pine forest at about 03:10 BST.
Both blazes are under control, along with another fire at Bangor mountain, and the areas are continuing to be monitored.Both blazes are under control, along with another fire at Bangor mountain, and the areas are continuing to be monitored.
The spate has led Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in the area to express concern. Robert Williams of Natural Resources Wales said trenches would be dug around Braichmelyn and filled with water to stop any further fire spreading.
Robert Williams, the local area manager, said trenches would be dug around Braichmelyn and filled with water to stop any further fire spreading.
He added: "We've never had fires like this for a number of years. This is quite unprecedented for ourselves."He added: "We've never had fires like this for a number of years. This is quite unprecedented for ourselves."
Over the last few days, a number of fires have broken out across other parts of Wales. A number of fires have broken out across Wales in the past few days
What causes wildfires? A large fire at Maerdy mountain in Rhondda Cynon Taff on Friday reignited on Tuesday morning, as has Pembrey Mountain in Carmarthenshire.
A large fire at Maerdy mountain in Rhondda Cynon Taff on Friday reignited on Tuesday morning for a second time, as has Pembrey Mountain in Carmarthenshire. Ferndale Community School, which is nearest to the Maerdy fire, is open but because of smoke and ash, staff have been advised to keep all doors and windows closed and not go out at lunchtime.
Ferndale Community School, which is nearest to the Maerdy fire, is open but because of smoke and ash staff have been advised to keep all doors and windows closed and not go out at lunchtime. Jack Harris, councillor for Maerdy, said the fire has spread across the mountain but hoped the fire service could "do something before it spreads even further" towards Ferndale.
Jack Harris, councillor for Maerdy, said the fire has spread across the mountain but hopes the fire service can "do something before it spreads even further" towards the Ferndale ward.
On Monday, crews also tackled blazes at Kilvey Hill in Swansea, and Penrhys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, while there was also a large forest fire near the Bryn Pica landfill site in Aberdare.On Monday, crews also tackled blazes at Kilvey Hill in Swansea, and Penrhys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, while there was also a large forest fire near the Bryn Pica landfill site in Aberdare.
Jennie Griffiths, head of joint fire control for South Wales and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Services, said crews had made "good progress assisted by helicopter drops".
She said firefighters were monitoring the area to ensure the fire safely burns out.
What causes wildfires?
Across the weekend, a helicopter was brought in to drop water on the Cwm Rheidol mountainside and a fire was tackled at Garth Hill in Maesteg, Bridgend county.Across the weekend, a helicopter was brought in to drop water on the Cwm Rheidol mountainside and a fire was tackled at Garth Hill in Maesteg, Bridgend county.
Andy Fry, chief fire advisor for Wales, told Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales programme wildfires were fairly common in Wales but there had been twice as many as in an average June. Andy Fry, chief fire advisor for Wales, said wildfires were fairly common, but there had been twice as many as an average June.
He added: "Historically there have been a number of years where we've seen very significant numbers of wildfires, particularly in 2015.He added: "Historically there have been a number of years where we've seen very significant numbers of wildfires, particularly in 2015.
"Things are not going to get any wetter in Wales for the foreseeable future. The drier things get, the more risk there is that a fire will start.""Things are not going to get any wetter in Wales for the foreseeable future. The drier things get, the more risk there is that a fire will start."