Arson suspected as wildfire destroys large area of grassland
A WILDFIRE has destroyed almost 40 acres of grassland on a Pontypool mountainside.
The fire, which took hold in Lasgarn Woods, burned through the grassland until South Wales Fire & Rescue Service crews extinguished the flames using specialist equipment.
South Wales Fire & Rescue Service has stated that it believes the incident to be a “suspected deliberate wildfire,” one of more than 2,000 such incidents within the past two years.
“In recent weeks our crews have attended a series of grassfires across south Wales.
“In some cases the fire has spread, destroying many hectares of grassland and putting lives in danger,” a statement from South Wales Fire & Rescue said.
“In Pontypool 15 hectares of grassland in Lasgarn Woods were affected by a wildfire, which continued to spread until extinguished by our crews using specialist equipment.”
Fifteen hectares is equivalent to roughly 37 acres, or around 15 standard-size Rugby Union pitches.
South Wales Fire & Rescue Service is currently running an operation, ‘Operation Dawns Glaw’, across South Wales to tackle the issue of wildfires.
“Over the last two years our crews have attended over 2,050 deliberate wildfires and rising,” a statement from the service said.
“The Service’s Fire Crime Unit are working alongside the taskforce to educate and prevent wildfires by cutting fire break trails to reduce the spread of such fires.”
“We would urge anyone who has information on suspected deliberate fires, or who sees anything suspicious to contact 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you see a fire, or anyone starting a fire, please call 999 immediately.”