Shocking effects of grass fires revealed in photos and videos
A SERIES of shocking pictures and videos showing the ‘heartbreaking’ effects of grass fires on wildlife and hillsides in the Valleys have been posted online.
They show a number of animals – including frogs and slow worms – who have fallen victim to the recent fires tearing across the south Wales Valleys.
The images, showing the blackened and charred remains of Caegarw Mountain in Mountain Ash, were taken by Luke Bennett last week.
Firefighters were called to the mountain last Wednesday.
On the same day, crews tackled a large grass fire, which burned close to people’s homes in Ferndale, Rhondda.
The incidents were the latest in a list of recent deliberate fires across the south Wales Valleys.
Images showing the devastating effects of the fire on Caegarw Mountain were posted to Facebook by Mr Bennett, who described the incident as “shocking”.
The post has been been shared more than 1,000 times, with users describing the incident as “heartbreaking” and “sad”.
One user, Betty Ford, wrote: “Poor wildlife doesn’t stand a chance”, while Marilyn Caley commented: “It’s so sad to see this all the time never, mind the cost of multiple fire engines.”
Elsewhere, homeowners in the Rhondda described the terrifying moment a huge grass fire came within 100 yards of their houses.
The latest in a series of deliberate grass fires across the South Wales Valleys this spring hit Pontygwaith, near Ferndale, on Wednesday.
Rachel Thomas, who lives in Fenwick Street, said: “It was about 100 yards away from my back garden. It was very scary and very nerve racking to know that it was spreading, getting closer and closer to our houses – the children were petrified in the street.
“It has left a real impact on our community and we are all very devastated with the event as it’s ruined the lovely scenery that we once had.”
Rachel, 20, said “couldn’t thank the service enough”.
“Hat goes off to all the firefighters for their efforts and hard work going from one fire to the next, working long unsociable hours for the actions of the arsonists.
“I think we as a community she fire should get together and do something to give the fire fighters the credit they deserve.”
The fires come after one of the driest Aprils on record in Wales.
Rhi Phillips, who also lives on Fenwick Street in Pontygwaith, said: “It’s our first home and we haven’t yet moved in so it was worrying seeing all our money and hard work so close to being destroyed.”
The 28-year-old added: “The fire service deserve so much more recognition, they do an incredible job and I spoke briefly to some who had been working all day Wednesday on that fire and they were shattered but still trying their hardest despite it being pitch black on difficult terrain.”