Fire crews battle dozens of blazes as farmer scared

Firefighters are dealing with dozens of wildfires across Wales, with one farmer saying she has been left feeling "scared" and "frustrated".

Olivia Hirst, 20, from Merthyr Tydfil, said a large fire that erupted on the mountains surrounding her farm at about 16:00 GMT on Thursday was still burning.

"It's so scary as it's completely out of control. We are just so frustrated," she said.

There have been 113 grass fires in mid and south Wales since Thursday, with further blazes reported in north Wales.

The majority have been controlled burns, started by landowners to manage vegetation, but others have been started deliberately, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said.

It said crews had dealt with 86 grass fires between Thursday and Friday.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews attended 27 fires on Thursday.

More than 20 wildfires were tackled by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The cause of the fire around Ms Hirst's farm in Ponsticill remains unknown, but she suspected it may have been triggered by scramblers as their "tracks are everywhere" in the area.

Firefighters were transported to the scene on the farm's quad bikes, where they managed to prevent the blaze from spreading towards the farm.

However, the fire continues to burn.

Ms Hirst said: "It is very stressful when we get fires on the mountain any time of the year but especially now when there is livestock on the mountain that are due to lamb in the next couple of weeks.

"It's so scary as it's completely out of control. We are just so frustrated."

Eddy Blanche, Darren Valley community councillor in Caerphilly borough, said fires on common land have had "a devastating effect on wildlife as well as putting the safety of the public and members of fire service at risk".

"There were reports on social media of horses with young foals seen fleeing the flames and having to be let out of fields onto the roads," he said.

Nick Thomas from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it had deployed a firefighting helicopter to help extinguish a fire on the Berwyn Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Denbighshire.

It is the first time this year NRW have deployed the helicopter, which can carry 1,200 litres of water, to the fire and rescue services.

Mr Thomas added the team would stay on site to support emergency services and will assess any damage to the land as soon as it is safe to do so.

The wildfires across the country follow several dry and sunny days, but the conditions are expected to become unsettled over the weekend as a low pressure system moves in from the south west.

A majority of other incidents reported have only required a single fire appliance, but control rooms have been inundated with calls, often repeats to the same incident.

On Thursday, residents in the Trawsfynydd and Bronaber areas of Gwynedd were urged to keep windows and doors closed due to a large amount of smoke from a separate grass fire.

It is the second in the area this week.

In a statement, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service reminded landowners carrying out controlled burns to do so responsibly and to always inform fire officers in advance.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was still tackling one fire on Merthyr Road, Llwydcoad, Aberdare, and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it also had crews in attendance at one fire.

On Thursday, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent a number of crews to a grass fire at Pengarnddu, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, which was first reported at 15:45 and had a fire front of about 4 to 5km (2.48 to 3.1 miles).

It was also fighting other fires at Glyncorrwg, Neath Port Talbot, and Llanfair Caereinion and Crickhowell in Powys, while others left to burn overnight has been re-inspected.

Crews in north Wales tackled three fires at Carrog near Corwen, Denbighshire, a fire at Talysarn near Mynydd Cilgwyn, Caernarfon and a new blaze which only started on Friday morning at Mynydd Llandygai, Bethesda, in Gwynedd.

More than 20 firefighters, including a specialist wildfire unit, also tackled a large wildfire at Trefriw in Conwy county at 21:30 GMT, which was first reported at 16:47.

Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to a grass fire covering six hectares of gorse and trees at 21:37 GMT in Ponterwyd in Aberystwyth.

Another "significant fire" was reported above Troedyrhiw Terrace, Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and was left to burn overnight as conditions were unsafe to tackle the fire in the dark.

A spokesperson from the National Farming Union (NFU) said controlled grass burning, when done correctly, can manage habitats and grazing areas, which benefits livestock and wildlife in Wales.

It improves forage and creates varied vegetation heights, which are important for grazing livestock and wildlife in Wales.

Controlled grass burning must be conducted within permitted periods, with enough personnel for safety, and smaller areas with firebreaks are preferable.

The NFU added informing the fire service about the controlled burn beforehand is crucial to avoid unnecessary callouts.