Ceredigion County Council is supporting a multi-agency taskforce which aims to reduce the impact of grass fires across Wales.

With more people than ever before spending their holidays in Wales, the taskforce is keen to protect the countryside, its wildlife and habitats from fires.

Initially established in 2016 to tackle deliberately set grass fires, Operation Dawns Glaw is turning its attention to the increase in accidental fires in the countryside. Last year, the number of accidental fires increased by 20 per cent across Wales.

Mydrian Harries is the Chair of Operation Dawns Glaw and Corporate Head of Prevention and Protection for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

“While accidents do happen, they are also avoidable and this year’s campaign will focus on some of the small steps we can take to ensure we don’t accidentally cause grass fires to ignite,” he said.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to reinforce the message that while accidents can happen, there are others within our communities who are deliberately setting fire to our countryside.

“Not only this is a crime, for which they will be prosecuted, but it also places unnecessary pressure on frontline services and puts our communities in harm’s way.”

To avoid starting a grass fire by accident, the advice is:

* Don’t light fires in the countryside. Discard cigarettes responsibly.

* Do not light campfires and only have barbeques where signs say you can. Never leave a barbeque unattended and extinguish it properly after you have finished using it.

* Clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire.

* Don’t throw cigarettes, matches or litter out of the window. They can cause fire.

* Explain to children the dangers of playing with and lighting fires.

* Don’t litter, discarded glass can cause fires.

"The deliberate setting of grass fires by any means is totally irresponsible and unacceptable, especially at a time of increased pressure," added Mr Harries.

"These fires are not only an incredible drain on resources, they also severely damage our beautiful surroundings for many years, and cause the unnecessary loss of wildlife.

"Diverting vital resources to deal with deliberate fires will draw fundamental and valuable resources away from our communities, placing unnecessary risk on lives."

Anyone with information on suspected deliberate fires, or who witnesses anything suspicious, should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you see a fire, or anyone starting a fire, please call 999 immediately.

For more information about Operation Dawns Glaw 2021, visit the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service website.