Grass fires are worst in valleys

The fire service has to tackle hundreds of grass fires every year

Rhondda Cynon Taf is the worst area in south Wales for deliberate grass fires, according to new figures.

South Wales Fire Service calculated that in just 18 days over Easter 2004, they tackled 151 fires.

In the year from March 2003 there were 2,853 grass fires in Rhondda Cynon Taf together costing more than £3m.

South Wales Police, who have joined forces with the fire service, say they will enforce a zero tolerance approach in future to these arson attacks.

Nearby Caerphilly came second in the list of offenders behind RCT with 72 grass fires in the first two weeks of April 2004, followed by Bridgend and Newport.

Tackling grass fires which were started on purpose in the borough cost the tax payer £166,000 over the Easter break alone.

Deliberate grass fires in south Wales (April 2 - 19, 2004) Rhondda Cynon Taf - 151 Caerphilly - 72 Bridgend - 41 Newport - 39 Blaenau Gwent - 27 Torfaen - 23 Cardiff - 22 Monmouth - 7 Glamorgan - 5

It costs on average £1,100 to extinguish a grass fire.

The fire service and police have developed a 10 point plan to try and stop people from setting fire to grass on purpose in the area, which includes using the force helicopter and mounted police to patrol the area and sending fire engines to areas which are known as being high risk.

Senior Divisional Officer Steve Skivens, from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are urging people not to start deliberate grass or forestry fires, and to take extra care when disposing of cigarettes and other smoking materials near grassy areas, especially after spells of dry weather.

"These sorts of fires are dangerous and unpredictable and can quickly spread out of control, especially on the mountainsides which are exposed to the wind. "Firefighters tackling these fires may also be delayed in attending genuine emergencies such as house fires and road traffic accidents.

"People who start the fires need to think how long it would take fire crews tackling grass fires to get to their family and friends if they were in an emergency situation."

South Wales Police have said they will operate a zero tolerance policy on people caught starting grass fires.

"What people forget is that a grass fire that is started deliberately is an arson and an arson is a criminal offence. Anyone committing these offences can expect to face the full force of the law," said Superintendent Sue Hayes.