Grass and Forest Fires

Grass and Forest Fires
Grass and Forest fires are the greatest single drain on the resources of South Wales Fire Service. In the year 2000/2001 South Wales Fire Service attended 3551 grass and forest fires. In the year 2001/2002 South Wales Fire Service attended 5239 grass and forest fires. An increase of 32% on the previous year. These figures represent the 3rd highest of all UK Fire Services. 98% of these fires are deliberate.

Grass and Forest fires cost the taxpayer £5.7million in South Wales. Much of our countryside is under pressure from people in many ways; don't make things worse for our wildlife by lighting fires deliberately. If a cattle farmer loses most of his hay and straw in September, it will cost him, on average, an extra £350 per head of cattle to keep it through the winter. Hay and straw are extremely combustible. Remember that farmers produce our food. Hay is dried grass and straw is the dried stalks that remain after the grain has been harvested. A farmer loses, on average, around £20,000 when a 65-acre field ready for harvest is burnt. A 65-acre field is about the size of 35 football pitches.

Fire is an extremely destructive force in the countryside. As well as crops and trees, fire kills animals and their natural habitat.

Never build a fire in a forest or a wood. Never attempt to put out a fire.
The wind could change and you could become trapped.
Report fires immediately by ringing the Fire Service on 999 and give the exact location.
Campfires are a major cause of accidental fires in the countryside.
Campfires are not permitted in moorlands and woodlands.
Very few campsites permit the building of open fires.
Never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive a fire.
Never throw aerosols or LPG containers onto a fire.
Never take matches and lighters into the forest or onto the mountains.
When leaving a campsite, cover the fire with earth and make sure it is completely extinguished.