A former Assistant Chief Fire Officer of South Wales Fire & Rescue Service has called for an end to the deliberate starting of wildfires.
Caerphilly Plaid Cymru Councillor Steve Skivens, who served in the fire service for 33 years, said: “South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency services are being put under enormous pressure by a stream of almost continuous fires on our hillsides and in open areas.”
Cllr Steve Skivens said that many of the wildfires will have been started deliberately. “Farm property, rights of way, animals and birds habitats and acres of natural countryside are being severely damaged or destroyed.
“Fire fighters are getting exhausted and crews from outside the area have had to be drafted in. But what if there is a house or factory fire or a road accident, where will the fire crews respond from? This must stop before someone is seriously injured or worse.”
He urged anyone witnessing deliberate fire setting to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.