FIREFIGHTERS attended two large, slow-burning grass fires on the Black Mountain range on Monday, 27 February, each approximately two miles long.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) confirmed that two fire fronts were extinguished by the Pontardawe crew using two leaf blowers and beaters.

This incident occurred just a week after Operation Dawns Glaw, a multi-agency task force of specialists, had reformed to reduce, and where possible eliminate the impact of grass fires across Wales.

The task force, which was initially established in 2016 by the all Wales Strategic Arson Reduction Board to tackle incidents of deliberately set grass fires across Wales.

It will also be turning its attention to the increase in accidental fires, often caused by careless behaviour when out enjoying the countryside.  

In 2022 the fire services across Wales attended 3,269 grassfire incidents – this was an increase of 62% on the previous year with deliberate grass fires increasing by 1542 (47%) to 2263.

The increase was mainly due to hot dry weather in July and August, which resulted in a second spike of incidents in addition to the March and April activity.

Peter Greenslade, Corporate Head of Prevention and Protection for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and Chair of Operation Dawns Glaw, said: “As with previous years, we launch our Operation Dawns Glaw campaign as the weather starts to improve, the nights become lighter and our use of the landscape, countryside and grassland of Wales begins to increase.

“It is vitally important that we all continue to work together to build a healthier, more resilient and increasingly biodiverse landscape here in Wales, doing what we can to protect this precious resource for the future.

“We want to work with our communities, farmers, and landowners to share our knowledge and understanding of the effect that both deliberate and accidental fires have on our communities. 

"We understand that controlled burns can have a positive effect on the environment, creating biodiversity and a sustainable ecosystem and we are available for free advice on how to do this safely.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to reinforce our messages that while accidents can happen, there are some within our communities who are deliberately setting fire to our countryside.

"I would encourage anyone with information relating to such crimes to call 101, or to report anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111”.