The cause of last weekend’s mountain fire at Dwygyfylchi has now been confirmed as deliberate.

Firefighters are again urging people to stop and think about the consequences of grass fires after this fire tied up valuable resources for a considerable length of time and threatened the safety of nearby properties.

People living in the surrounding area were advised to close windows and doors to avoid smoke entering their properties.

Crews were called to the large fire on the Allt Wen mountain in Dwygyfylchi, Penmaenmawr on Saturday 4^th June at 22.45hrs - firefighters remained at the scene, dealing with and monitoring the fire until 17.48hrs on Tuesday 7^th June.

Stuart Millington, Senior Fire Safety Manager, said: “We received numerous notifications in relation to the Dwygyfylchi fire and would like to thank those people for acting in a safe and responsible manner.

“Unfortunately it has since become evident that the fire was a deliberate act so we are now reminding people that setting fires is a criminal offence.  

“Our message is simple. Deliberate  fires are a serious crime - those responsible will be caught and will face the full force of the law.

“Starting a deliberate fire risks blighting your life with a criminal record for no reason. Such fires are not ‘a bit of fun’ – they endanger the lives of people and animals, threaten homes and businesses. Deliberate fires are just as socially unacceptable as drink driving and we are working across multi agencies to tackle these fires and to protect and reassure communities.

“I would also remind people that the recent dry weather has increased the risk of rural fires and the risk of them developing very quickly, resulting in the potential to quickly spread and get out of control.

 “Visitors to the countryside should take extra care when they are out and about to reduce the risk of fire in dry weather – be responsible when discarding cigarettes, avoid starting any fires in the open, and discard of barbeques safely.”

Chief Inspector Paul Joyce of North Wales Police added: "Setting deliberate grass fires is a criminal offence, the consequences of which can be far reaching'

“Deliberate ignitions could cost lives, they can put a drain upon resources of the emergency services and lead to the destruction of the mountainside and kill wildlife. Those who engage in setting deliberate fires also risk having a criminal record.”

“I urge anyone who has any information or who may have seen any suspicious activity relating to the incident to contact us on 101 quoting reference number U083078.”