'Pressure' from grass fire spate

Environmental experts have warned of the consequences for wildlife

Fire officers have spoken of the "immense pressure" on crews in dealing with a series of grass, gorse and woodland blazes across Wales.

A helicopter has been brought in to help tackle a forest fire near Port Talbot.

There are still fires burning in Gwynedd and Torfaen, while some minor blazes are still smouldering from outbreaks over Easter.

South Wales fire service alone has received 5,500 calls in just 10 days.

Over the bank holiday weekend, there were hundreds of incidents across Wales which firefighters said had drained resources.

Fire officers have urged the public to be careful, and environmental experts have warned of the consequences.

Firefighters in the south and north have reported no major new problems so far on Thursday but a Forestry Commission helicopter was called in to help crews from mid and west Wales tackling a forest fire in Glyn Corrwg near Port Talbot.

Crews had been battling the blaze since 0945 BST on Thursday but withdrew so the helicopter could pour water on a burning area, up to 10 hectares in size.

In south east Wales, a fire at Mile Point on Coity mountain in Blaenavon, Torfaen, was still alight on Thursday, along with a mountain fire at Tonypandy, Rhondda.

One of the largest fires in north Wales near the Llyn Tecwyn Uchaf reservoir in Llandecwyn, Gwynedd, was still alight on Thursday and a crew has been sent back to fight it.

Firefighters are also inspecting areas that were badly affected.

We're seeing a lot of fatigued crews coming off shift after hours of firefighting in difficult conditions Kevin Barry, South Wales fire and rescue service

The fire service said the Easter weekend was one of the worst they have ever experienced for countryside fires.

South Wales fire and rescue service reported attending 901 grass fires in the first 10 days of April.

Control room staff at the division's headquarters in Pontyclun dealt with 5,448 calls from members of the public, with 3,251 of these being repeat calls about fires which had already been responded to.

The division's assistant chief fire officer Kevin Barry paid tribute to firefighters who were, he said, under "immense pressure".

"We're seeing a lot of fatigued crews coming off shift after hours of firefighting in difficult conditions.

There were over 500 incidents during the holiday period

"They are doing a tremendous job... showing a patient, professional and persistent attitude when dealing with this almost endless stream of grass fires, most of which are unnecessary."

Mid and West Wales fire service received 223 call outs to attend grass fires, and in north Wales crews attended 96 gorse and forest fires.

Fire officers made a plea to the public to be more careful in the countryside while experts warned of the consequences for wildlife and their habitats.

On Wednesday, mid and west Wales crews attended 78 fires and received 180 repeat calls.

Crews in north Wales were called to a gorse fire at Prion, near Denbigh. The cause of the fire was thought to be "controlled burning which had spread uncontrollably".