13-05-2025
'Beachwatch' idea in North Wales village fearing 'disaster waiting to happen'
Most wildfires in Wales this year were started deliberately and are costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds, forestry custodians have said. Seven more incidents were reported in North Wales over the weekend.
Already this year, fire crews in Wales have battled almost 1,400 wildfires. It's left some communities living in fear, with residents in Newborough, Anglesey, waging an almost daily battle to keep fire away from their seaside forest.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which manages the Welsh Government's forestry estate, said that, between March 21 and May 11, it suffered 24 wildfires on or near its land. As a result, more than 222 acres of young trees went up in flames.
'That's roughly the equivalent of 130 football fields,' said NRW senior specialist advisor Andrew Wright, new chair of the Wales Wildfire Board. 'Along with many hundreds of metres of fencing, which is essential in helping us keep visitors to our forests safe.'
In an online blog, he issued an impassioned plea for people to be more fire-aware. As well as not discarding cigarettes or glass bottles in the countryside, he urged visitors to refrain from lighting campfires and to only light barbecues in approved areas.
But having seen several near misses in recent weeks, Newborough residents believe tougher action is needed to safeguard their National National Reserve. Online, some have called for hefty on-the-spot fines for illegal campers and "Beachwatch" bans akin to the National Pubwatch scheme.
One wrote online: 'Much as we try to advise and educate, sadly people still light fires in places they shouldn't. At Llanddwyn beach and forest on Ynys Mon recently there have been various fires lit. How do we stop it? Despite reporting to NRW, and posting on social media nothing is being done. With the forest so close, a home to red squirrels and other wildlife, no rain for weeks, it's a disaster waiting to happen.'
In the past six weeks, NRW has twice been forced to deploy a helicopter to tackle fires, including a large blaze on difficult-to-access land at Berwyn mountain. Forest fires have also raged in places like Beddgelert, Gwynedd, and Cwm Rheidol near Aberystwyth.
At times, NRW also deploys machinery to create fire breaks and will carry out controlled burns to limit the spread of fires. So far this year, NRW's own fire bill is estimated at around £420,000.
Mr Wright said: 'Whilst it's hard to fathom why, most wildfires in Wales are started deliberately and are classed as arson. Some are a result of carelessness through inappropriate use of BBQs. Very few are caused by accidents or natural causes.
'Deliberately set wildfires don't just inflict environmental damage; they also burn through the public purse. These devastating fires require substantial resources to extinguish and manage.
'Firefighting operations, including equipment, personnel, and helicopters are expensive and the financial burden falls on already stretched budgets. And this doesn't start to take account of the loss of income from our forestry crop nor the cost of replacement trees.
'Ultimately, taxpayers will foot the bill for these costly endeavours. While the full impact and cost of these fires is still to be determined, we know the physical scars of these events will be visible on the landscape for some time.'
Last weekend North Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended three fires caused by disposable BBQs. It also tackled four incidents of garden or rubbish fires getting out of control.
As well as urging people to discard BBQs properly, the service wants gardeners to think carefully before lighting a bonfire in dry conditions – and to contact the control room (01931 522 006) if they do. This will prevent false alarms being raised by neighbours, it said.
Conservation charities worrry that mammals, reptiles and insects are being torched alive as wildfires rip through the countryside. Survivors not only lose their habitats, they may later perish from a lack of food.
In the trail of devastation left behind by the flames, ash is washing into rivers and reservoirs, while land stripped of burnt vegetation become vulnerable to erosion. By releasing large amounts of smoke and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, wildfires also worsen air quality and contribute to climate change.
Mr Wright added: 'The loss of these precious ecosystems disrupts the delicate balance of nature, leading to soil erosion and habitat destruction and leave a scar on our beautiful Welsh landscape.
'Not only do wildfires have long-term consequences for forestry and nature, but they also put lives at risk - of those trying to control the flames and of communities living nearby.
'Prevention is much better than cure and there are actions that everyone can take to reduce the risk of wildfires.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
If you see or suspect a fire has been started deliberately, report it via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or to the Police on 101.
