North Wales Police issue warning after fire started in Wepre Park area
Park rangers put out a fire in the Wepre Park area of Connah’s Quay after it smouldered overnight.
North Wales Police said the fire was started the previous day and was still burning when it was found the following morning.
Rangers reached it before it spread further.
The force released a photograph of the scene showing blackened branches and scorched ground beneath trees.
In a statement, North Wales Police said: “These incidents put people, wildlife and the environment at risk – particularly during hot/dry weather periods when fires can rapidly get out of control.”
The force also warned that a fire that appears to be out can continue to smoulder and reignite.
The fire follows a fortnight in which North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with repeated fires in the open across Flintshire.
Crews were called to a grass fire on Halkyn Mountain on 12 July, and to fires at Brynford and Bagillt in the days that followed.
By 20 July the service was fighting fires in the open on Hope Mountain and at Brynford near Holywell, and asking landowners to stop controlled burning while conditions stayed dry.
The following day the scale of the fires across the region led the service to request mutual aid through UK National Resilience.
Crews and fire engines from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service were sent to north Wales.
On Monday morning the service said the fires at Pentre Halkyn, Hope Mountain, Mount Pleasant at Brymbo and Pentrefelin at Holyhead were under control.
Crews are still monitoring the mountain above Capelulo near Sychnant Pass, the Rhinogydd range near Harlech and Bangor mountain.
Jody McEachern, Head of Prevention at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said that with the dry weather conditions, “even a small spark can quickly develop into a rapidly spreading fire.”
“Grass fires can start within seconds.”
The service has asked people not to light open fires or use disposable barbecues, to put cigarettes out safely, and to take litter and glass bottles home.
Anyone who sees a fire is asked to move to a safe place and call 999.
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