Firefighters urge people not to start 'illegal and irresponsible' grass fires

Fire services across Wales have urged people to stop starting "illegal and irresponsible" grass fires that are taking up vital resources and endangering lives.

Services are already stretched because of the coronavirus pandemic but deliberate fires mean resources are being diverted away from helping communities.

Firefighters have also warned that fire smoke irritates airways and can cause further issues for people with respiratory conditions.

Credit: South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Firefighters in south Wales alone have dealt with nearly 100 grass fires in March.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service issued a warning about deliberate fires following a spate of arson attacks across north Wales last week.

Following the fires, Tim Owen, Arson Reduction Manager said: “Thisbehaviour is completely unacceptable. Three of these fires were set atThe Dingle, Llangefni – an area which is closed to the public. Theindividuals setting the fires should not have even been in the area,let alone starting deliberate fires which put extra pressure onemergency services resources which are already stretched at this time."

Rhondda AM Leanne Wood has called for tough action to be taken against anyone caught setting grass fires during the corona virus outbreak.

The former Plaid Cymru leader branded anyone involved in starting deliberate fires as "utter idiots."