The size of a massive mountain fire near the A55, which firefighters have been fighting for more than 16 hours, is seen in a video. Firefighters were still on the scene on Wednesday afternoon after emergency services were called to the fire near Dwygyfylchi in Conwy on Tuesday evening.
The fire department has now stated that they think the fire started from an unattended campfire, and they have issued an urgent warning to the public to use caution when enjoying the countryside. Three fire engines and two wildfire units were still fighting the fire as of Wednesday afternoon.
It is estimated that the fire, which occurred in woodland above the Lyons Pendyffryn Hall Caravan Park, damaged about 1,000 square meters of the mountainside. The holiday park’s grounds manager, Sam Brookshaw, was notified of the fire last night.
She offered the firefighters a room in their reception building so they could strategise how to put out the fire with the help of bar manager Ben Nicholls. She stated: “They were very informative, reassuring and professional.”
In addition to food, chocolates, and cups of tea, Ms. Brookshaw and her crew provided the firefighters with shower facilities during the evening. The fire department has advised everyone to exercise caution when venturing into rural areas, as they are still battling the fire several hours after it started.
“We are encouraging everyone to be ‘Wildfire Wise’ and commit to simple precautions and take a little extra care to help ensure we can continue to enjoy our beautiful countryside and keep our communities safe from the devastating effects of wildfire,” stated Tim Owen of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Because the grass and mountains can get extremely dry at this time of year, if you intentionally or unintentionally start a fire outside, it will spread swiftly and destroy everything in its path.
“We are urging everyone living in our communities to respect our rural surroundings and do their share to preserve the environment and maintain the safety of our communities. While mishaps do occur, they are frequently preventable, and the goal of our Wildfire Wise campaign is to inform everyone about some of the simple precautions they can take to make sure they don’t unintentionally start a grass fire.
The fire service has offered this guidance to help protect the countryside:
- Do not light campfires and only have BBQs where signs say you can. Never leave BBQs unattended, and ensure that they are fully extinguished before you leave
- Ensure all disposable BBQs are discarded appropriately, as they can cause damage and/or injury if left to smoulder. It is particularly important not to bury them in the sand. Be mindful of young children and pets that may come across them. Use designated bins where available
- Think about how you dispose of waste in the countryside and the coast. Clear away bottles, glasses, and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire. Always use bins that are provided
- Dispose of smoking materials such as cigarettes safely and don’t throw cigarettes, matches or litter out of the window
- Report any suspicious activity by calling 101 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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