Fire crews will be setting fire to parts of Clwydian Range today as part of a training exercise

Members of the public have been told not to worry is they see smoke and fire engines around Moel Famau and the Clwydian Range.

Firefighters along with Denbighshire County Council will be deliberately starting fires as part of a wildfire training exercise.

A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Staff from the Service and Denbighshire County Council will be on the Clwydian Range today undertaking joint land management and wildfire training.”

“Please do not be alarmed by vehicles and smoke in the area.”

Earlier this month it was announced that Operation Dawns Glaw, a multi-agency taskforce of specialist from key agencies across Wales has been reformed to reduce the impact of grass fires across Wales.

The task force, which was initially established in 2016 to tackle the incidents of deliberately set grass fires across Wales, will also be turning its attention to the increase in accidental fires, often caused as a result of our own careless behaviour when out enjoying the countryside.

During 2020, Fire and Rescue Services across Wales dealt with 2,253 grass fires. Whilst this was a slight increase on 2019, the number of accidental fires in 2020 had increased by 20%.

This increase has in part been attributed to the number of us who spent our Spring and Summer months enjoying our local countryside, due to the lockdown measures in place as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

With staycations in Wales likely to dominate many holiday plans,  the Task Force is keen to make sure that we all do so safely, protecting the precious countryside to include its wildlife and habitats which we are so proud to have on our doorsteps.

The Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn said:

“With more people enjoying their local countryside and the prospect of more people opting for a staycation this year, it is more important than ever that we work together to eliminate grass fires and protect our environment. Careless behaviour resulted in an increase in accidentally-set grass fires last year.

Deliberately setting grass fires by any means is totally irresponsible and unacceptable. At a time of increased pressure, we need to work together and avoid putting further strain on Wales’ emergency services.”

[File Photo]