Fires could cost people’s lives
EMERGENCY services received more than 400 calls about grass fires across the Valleys at the weekend – with the “majority” started deliberately.
THESE were the devastating scenes as emergency services received more than 400 calls about deliberate grass fires in the Valleys at the weekend.
Crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) attended more than 70 grass fires in the space of 48 hours which could have “cost people’s lives”.
While thousands of people across Wales made the most of the glorious weather to go out and enjoy the countryside, others took advantage of the dry weather by starting fires.
SWFRS recorded 73 fires during the period, with one spreading to the size of more than 160 rugby pitches.
SWFRS group manager Vaughan Jenkins said they received 480 calls in total from 4pm on Saturday to 4pm on Sunday, with more than 400 relating to fires.
A SWFRS spokeswoman added that from 4pm on Sunday they recorded a further 37 grass fires, with the last recorded at 5.45am on Monday.
Mr Jenkins added that they received 89 calls to one incident.
Mr Jenkins said: “One of the biggest issues is the drain it puts on our resources. If someone has a house fire or if there is a road traffic collision, then it will mean a delay in our response time.
“We have got a lot of education at the moment to reduce them but that still needs to get through.
“I’d say to those who lit the fire, or knew who did, to think about all of the consequences of what you’re doing.
“It’s destroying the landscape and the wildlife – and it could cost people’s lives because of the delays it causes.”
SWFRS cannot yet confirm how many of the 36 fires were lit on purpose, but Mr Jenkins said the “majority” were set deliberately.
Crews were forced to withdraw from one incident in Treorchy which had spread to around 166 hectares, roughly the size of 160 international rugby pitches, after high winds made it too dangerous.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 9.55pm on Saturday and tackled the blaze throughout the night.
The crews were forced to leave the scene and the fire burnt itself out.
One inferno in the Rhondda which came dangerously close to houses was deliberately set, according to the fire service.
Crews were called to the scene on Penrhys Mountain at 5.20pm, where around 10 hectares were “well alight”.