New push to prevent grassfires across Welsh countryside

With spring underway and warmer weather around the corner, the Wales Wildfire Board is calling on residents and visitors to be #WildfireWise and take extra care to prevent wildfires across the countryside.

The warning comes as part of a nationwide awareness campaign encouraging people to adopt safer behaviours during outdoor activities, particularly in grassland and mountainous areas that become increasingly dry during this time of year.

In 2024, fire services across Wales responded to 977 grassfire incidents, a 47% drop on the previous year.

Deliberate fires alone fell by 44%, but authorities stress that continued progress depends on public vigilance and understanding.

The Wales Wildfire Board’s #WildfireWise campaign promotes simple safety measures to avoid both accidental and intentional fires.

These include extinguishing cigarettes properly, avoiding open flames in dry areas, and reporting suspicious behaviour.

Andrew Wright, the newly appointed Chair of the Wales Wildfire Board and Senior Specialist Advisor at Natural Resources Wales, said the campaign draws on a decade of expertise in tackling wildfires.

“We are encouraging all members of our communities to respect our countryside and play their part in safeguarding our environment and keeping our communities safe,” he said.

“While accidents do happen, they are also avoidable. Our Wildfire Wise campaign focuses on educating us all on the small steps we can take to ensure we don’t accidentally cause a grass fire to ignite.”

Mr Wright emphasised the importance of collaboration, adding: “We want to work with our communities, farmers and landowners to share knowledge about the effects of both deliberate and accidental fires. Controlled burns can benefit biodiversity, but they must be done safely, and we’re available to offer free advice.”

He also issued a clear warning regarding arson: “There are others within our communities who are deliberately setting fire to our countryside.

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

The campaign aligns with broader efforts to create a more resilient and biodiverse landscape in Wales by educating the public and promoting responsible countryside use.

Anyone who spots suspicious activity while out in the countryside is urged to contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, call 101 for non-emergencies, or dial 999 in urgent situations.