Large Grass Fire On Commins Coch Hill Near To Cribbarth Quarry Beulah

At approximately 21:45 on Thursday 14 April, crews from Llandrinod Wells, Builth Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells attended a large grass fire on Commins Coch Hill near to Cribbarth Quarry, Beulah. Crews spent nearly 3 hours tackling the blaze which consumed nearly 10 hectors of land. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Will Bowen, Head of Arson Reduction at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Deliberate fire setting is a crime. Deliberately set grass fires are extremely unpredictable and can spiral out of control within minutes. Every time our firefighters are called out to a deliberately set grass or mountain fire, not only does it cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds, it negatively impacts on the environment, wildlife and carbon footprint and puts firefighters at a needless risk. It also means that firefighters could be diverted from attending a real emergency – someone trapped in a house fire or a crashed car, where there is a potential life risk.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are working with partner organisations to reduce the number of large grass and gorse fires through education and prevention programmes, including school visits and offering advice to parents. Fire and Police officers are visiting schools together in areas where fires are deliberately lit to inform pupils of the dangers of starting fires, the implications of their actions, and the criminal aspect of fire setting. It is the policy of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service to work with partner organisations to vigorously pursue the prosecution of anyone involved in deliberate fire-setting.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I would like to remind landowners that the burn season has now ended and will not reopen until the beginning of October. Burning outside of the burn season can result in prosecution and a fine from the Welsh Government and landowners also risk a financial penalty for a breach of the Single Payment Scheme. If landowners wish to burn outside of the burn season they must apply to the Welsh Government for a license.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​