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Major Incident Stood Down Following Surge in Grass Fires Across South Wales
The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) has reported that a major incident, declared in response to a surge of wildfires, has now been stood down following a damp bank holiday weekend. This announcement comes after the service dealt with nearly 1,000 grass fires over a three-week period.
According to SWFRS, their preliminary data indicates that from August 11 to September 1, they responded to a total of 961 grass fires, including 115 categorized as wildfires. Among these, 26 were classified as category three wildfires, the most serious classification. At the height of the incident, which peaked in mid-August, the fire service managed 14 simultaneous wildfires, utilising all available resources.
Joint fire control teams handled a total of 8,466 calls between July 19 and September 1, with the highest volume recorded on August 13, when 1,006 calls were made. In stark contrast, on August 31, the service only received 88 calls.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Adam Openshaw acknowledged the immense effort displayed by personnel from SWFRS, stating that they had demonstrated remarkable courage and professionalism in safeguarding public safety. He also thanked partner agencies, including the British Army, local authorities, Natural Resources Wales, and Public Health Wales, highlighting the collaborative approach taken to tackle the wildfires.
Meanwhile, South Wales Police and Gwent Police are conducting investigations into reports of deliberate fire-setting, with 18 arrests made in connection to different incidents in the South Wales Police area during August.
Although the major incident has been declared over, SWFRS has warned that the risk of wildfires remains. The fire service has urged the public to stay vigilant, as firefighters will continue to monitor affected areas for any changes in conditions and may still encounter smouldering hotspots. Residents affected by residual smoke are advised to follow public health guidelines and take necessary precautions.
