Fire crews battle dozens of blazes as farmer scared

Firefighters have dealt with dozens of wildfires across Wales, with one farmer saying she was left "scared" and "frustrated".

Olivia Hirst, 20, from Merthyr Tydfil, said a large fire had erupted on the mountains surrounding her farm at about 16:00 GMT on Thursday.

"It's so scary as it's completely out of control. We are just so frustrated," she said earlier.

There here have been 113 grass fires in mid and south Wales since Thursday, with further blazes reported in north Wales.

Most have been controlled burns, started by landowners to manage vegetation, but others were started deliberately, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said.

It said crews had dealt with 86 grass fires between Thursday and Friday.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews attended 27 fires on Thursday.

More than 20 wildfires were tackled by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The cause of the fire around Ms Hirst's farm in Ponsticill remains unknown, but she suspected it may have been triggered by scramblers as their "tracks are everywhere" in the area.

Firefighters were transported to the scene on the farm's quad bikes, where they managed to prevent the blaze from spreading towards the farm.

Ms Hirst said: "It is very stressful when we get fires on the mountain any time of the year but especially now when there is livestock on the mountain that are due to lamb in the next couple of weeks.

"It's so scary as it's completely out of control. We are just so frustrated."

Eddy Blanche, Darren Valley community councillor in Caerphilly borough, said fires on common land had "a devastating effect on wildlife as well as putting the safety of the public and members of fire service at risk".

"There were reports on social media of horses with young foals seen fleeing the flames and having to be let out of fields onto the roads," he said.

Nick Thomas, of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), said a firefighting helicopter was sent up to help put out a fire on the Berwyn Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), in Denbighshire.

It is the first time this year NRW have deployed the helicopter, which can carry 1,200 litres of water.

Mr Thomas damage to the land would be assessed as soon as it was safe.

The wildfires follow several dry and sunny days, but conditions are expected to become unsettled over the weekend as a low pressure system moves in from the south west.

Most other incidents reported only needed a single fire appliance, but control rooms were inundated with calls.

On Thursday, residents in Trawsfynydd and Bronaber, in Gwynedd, were urged to keep windows and doors closed because of smoke from a separate grass fire.

It is the second in the area this week.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service reminded landowners carrying out controlled burns to do so responsibly and tell the fire service in advance.

North Wales fire service said it was still dealing with ongoing wildfires in Carrog, in Denbighshire and at Dolgellau and Dinas Mawddwy, both in Gwynedd.

It said other blazes were now out. Two crews are at Carrog and two at Dolgellau and Dinas Mawddwy.

South and Mid and West Wales fire services said some fires were still alight but they are controlled burns.

A National Farming Union (NFU) spokesman said controlled grass burning, when done correctly, can manage habitats and grazing areas, which benefits livestock and wildlife in Wales.

It improves the vegetation which is important for grazing livestock and wildlife in Wales.

Controlled burns must be conducted within permitted periods, with enough personnel for safety, and smaller areas with firebreaks are preferable.

The NFU added telling the fire service about controlled burns beforehand was crucial to avoid unnecessary callouts.