The continuing epidemic of summer wildfires in Wales has forced two fire services to put out appeals to the public to understand the impact deliberately-lit blazes is having. Firefighters said lives were being put at risk and the countryside destroyed by the fires.
In the last 24 hours, there have been new fires in Tylorstown, Rhondda, and the Gaer, Newport and Abercraf in Powys. And South Wales Fire Service said it had battled a total of 77 wild arson attacks, as well as several naturally occurring grass fires in just the last four days. Mid and West Fire Service also issued a statement saying it had attended over 490 wildfire incidents so far in 2023, of these incidents, 341 of them are believed to have been started deliberately.
South Wales Fire and Rescue's Matthew Jones, said: “We have been working tirelessly with our partners to deal with several large, deliberate wildfires across south Wales. These unnecessary fires have caused severe damage to the Welsh landscape, forestry and wildlife while placing the lives of our firefighters and the public at risk. Deliberate fire setting is a crime, and we would urge anyone with information to report this to the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.”
