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Wales grass fires: Motorbike youths blamed for some blazes

BBC Fire on Mynydd Tal y Mignedd, photographed from CaernarfonBBC
Fire on Mynydd Tal y Mignedd in Snowdonia, seen from Caernarfon, with smoke visible from as far away as Anglesey and Bangor

Fire services are under "quite significant pressure" due to grass fires, according to one service chief.

On Tuesday night, there were 160 calls about one grass fire alone in Kilvey Hill, Swansea.

Sean Lloyd of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said "the majority of fires are deliberate", with some set by youths on motorbikes.

He said there were a high number of calls during the weekend's good weather but most were now under control.

"Unfortunately we are seeing a situation where youths are setting deliberate fires on motorbikes and driving away," Mr Lloyd said.

On BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, he also warned: "The week ahead (for weather) is looking really good, but we have a plan in place."

Graphic

Mr Lloyd said farmers and landowners could help by checking firebreaks and he urged members of the public to report incidents.

Neil Davies of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said five engines, a firefighting helicopter, a specialist burns team and tactical officers dealt with a large fire on Wattsville mountain, Caerphilly county, on Tuesday.

He said it covered about seven hectares (17 acres), adding: "The vast majority of these wildfires are deliberately set and attending them takes vital resources away from our communities that would normally be available for other emergencies."

Jordan Webber Swansea fireJordan Webber
A fire at Kilvey Hall, Swansea, led to 160 calls to the emergency services

During warm weather, fires have spread rapidly on Wattsville mountain, including some covering areas larger than 300 hectares (741 acres) in the past.

On Tuesday evening, services reported another three major grass fires - in Swansea, Vale of Glamorgan near Cardiff Airport, and Crickhowell, Powys.

Four fire engines were sent to a blaze at Caerau, Maesteg, in Bridgend county, where 40 hectares were alight.

Three pumps and some four wheel drive vehicles were sent to a 100 hectare (247 acres) grass fire in Rhayader, Powys.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it had to deal with about 10 incidents.

A 10 hectare (25 acre) fire was being tackled by crews at Y Fron, near Caernarfon, Gwynedd, on Wednesday after the alarm was raised at 13:40 GMT.

A second fire, above Nantlle, also near Caernarfon, has been tackled after firefighters were called at 18:00 on Tuesday.

There are also small fires in the Llanberis, Gwynedd, and on Bangor mountain.