Firefighters battle Welsh infernos

Firefighters have dealt with dozens of grass fires across Wales after several days of warmer weather.

113 fires were recorded  in mid and south Wales over a two day period with further blazes reported in north Wales.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews attended 27 of these fires on just a single day and a firefighting helicopter capable of carrying 1,200 litres of water was scrambled by National Resources Wales to help put out a fire in Denbighshire.

Most have been controlled burns, started by landowners to manage vegetation, but the cause of others is unknown.

Controlled grass burning can manage habitats to benefit wildlife and livestock as well as minimise fuel loads to lower the chances of unintended fires.

Chief executive of the Moorland Association, Andrew Gilruth told ST: “Our politicians have ignored the build-up of vegetation fuel load in the countryside which their own red tape has created. Nations around the globe are falling back in love with controlled winter burning – it’s even Green Party policy in Australia. It’s easy to see why. Even a child could tell you it’s better to have a smaller controlled fire than wait for a devastating wildfire.”