Firefighters are urging people to stop and think about the consequences of grass fires following a number of incidents which have tied up valuable resources.

Appliances from Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Dolgellau, Corwen, Cerrigydrudion, Llanrwst, the Incident Command Unit from Rhyl and the High Volume Pump from Llandudno are currently in attendance at an incident in Betws y Coed. The call was received at 4.16pm this afternoon (Friday 29th March). The incident involves a one mile fire front and residents from a local property close to the incident are being evacuated as precautionary measure.

Earlier today crews were called to a large gorse fire in Bronaber near the A470 at 1.12pm (Friday 29^th March). Firefighters from Barmouth, Dolgellau, Harlech, Porthmadog and Denbigh attended the incident which was brought under control by 6.10pm. It is believed this started as a controlled burn which then spread out of control.

During this afternoon there have also been incidents in Llangwyfan, Llandyrnog and Llansanna involving grass, gorse and bracken - most of these incidents are as a result of controlled burning. Many of these fires cause multiple calls to the control room from concerned members of the public.

Kevin Roberts, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: “Whereas the number of incidents is relatively small, each one is tying up resources and preventing us from attending other life threatening incidents.

“The dry weather has increased the risk of rural fires and we would like to thank those people notifying us of their controlled burning and for them acting in a safe and responsible manner.

“The controlled burning season comes to an end on Sunday 31^st March and in the meantime we continue to urge people to inform us of any plans to undertake burns - during the permissible burning period. On the day of the intended burn landowners need to have a burn plan in place and inform fire and rescue service control on 01931 522 006 of the location of the burn, this will prevent time and resources being wasted by the fire service attending a controlled fire.

“During drier periods, fires involving grass, bracken and heather can develop very quickly, particularly in raised winds, resulting in fires getting out of control and spreading to neighbouring properties or forestry, with the need for the fire and rescue service to be called out to extinguish them.

“We are also urging visitors to the countryside to take extra care when they are out and about and reduce the risk of accidental fires. Make sure that any smoking materials are discarded and extinguished properly. If you are out camping, again make sure that campfires or barbeques are fully extinguished.”