Grass arson worries in heatwave

Firefighters say grass blazes put great pressure on resources

Fire chiefs in north Wales fear a heatwave could lead to an increase in deliberate grass fires.

With temperatures forecast to reach as high as 32C (90F) in some areas of Britain, patrols with police are being planned in "hotspot" areas.

It said there had already been a "notable" increase in the number of countryside fires since April.

Sandra Williams of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said such incidents put "tremendous pressure on resources".

Miss Williams said the service had seen a reduction in the number of countryside fires over the past three years, from 1,258 incidents in 2006/7 to 503 fires in 2008/9.

However, she said there had already been 274 in the current financial year - 123 of which were started deliberately.

'Worrying trend'

Ms Williams, the north Wales arson reduction team manager, added: "Attending these incidents puts a tremendous pressure on resources, with firefighters being tied up for considerable lengths of time to bring these fires under control.

"We are working closely with North Wales Police to identify hotspot areas for patrols as the setting of deliberate fires in gorse and undergrowth is a worrying trend."

Urging people to report fires as soon as they see them, she said: "Quite often people assume that someone else has reported the fire or that the landowner may be conducting a controlled burn.

"If this is the case the fire will be fully supervised, extinguished before sunset and the fire and rescue service would have been informed, but they would still welcome your call."

The season for controlled burning on uplands and lowlands finished on 15 March.

Anyone with information of fire-related crimes is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, North Wales Police on 0845 6071002 (English language) or 0845 6071001 (Welsh language).