North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s lead on Wildfires is appealing to the public to take care when out and about enjoying the countryside as he shared that the fire currently being tackled on a mountainside at Dwygyfylchi is thought to have been caused by a campfire left unattended.

Three crews and two wildfire units are currently in attendance tackling the fire after the initial call was received at 19.27 last night (Tuesday 20^th August).

The fire is thought to affect around 1000m².

Tim Owen from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said:

“We are encouraging everyone to be Wildfire Wise and commit to simple precautions and take a little extra care to help ensure we can continue to enjoy our beautiful countryside and keep our communities safe from the devastating effects of wildfire.

“During this time of year, grass and mountains can become very dry, which means if you deliberately or accidentally start a fire outdoors it will spread very quickly, destroying everything in its path.

“We are encouraging all members of our communities to respect our countryside and play their part in safeguarding our environment and keeping our communities safe.

“While accidents do happen, they are also often avoidable, and our Wildfire Wise campaign focuses on educating us all on some of the small steps we can take to ensure we don’t accidentally cause a grass fire to ignite.”

Help protect our countryside and our country by following the advice below:

• Do not light campfires and only have BBQs where signs say you can. Never leave BBQs unattended, and ensure that they are fully extinguished before you leave.
• Ensure all disposable BBQs are discarded appropriately, as they can cause damage and/or injury if left to smoulder. It is particularly important not to bury them in the sand. Be mindful of young children and pets that may come across them. Use designated bins where available.
• Think about how you dispose of waste in the countryside and the coast. Clear away bottles, glasses, and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire. Always use bins that are provided.
• Dispose of smoking materials such as cigarettes safely and don’t throw cigarettes, matches or litter out of the window.
• Report any suspicious activity by calling 101 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can find out more about being Wildfire Wise on our website here