11:30am Thursday 11th March 2010
Firefighters throughout Pembrokeshire have been called out to several grass and gorse fires over the last few days.
On Monday crews from St Davids and Fishguard tacked grass fires in the north of the county.
A hectare of grassland, well alight between St Nicholas and Mathry took four hours to extinguish with beaters, firefighters remained at the scene until after midnight.
A fire service spokesman said there were no reports of the fire being a controlled burn. The same night Fishguard crew were called out to another grass fire, this time at Cilwennen Common, Dinas Cross. Firefighters again used beaters to deal with the blaze.
On Tuesday fire crews dealt with a two hectare grass fire in Goodwick; a 40 metre by five metre gorse fire at Hubberston fort and grass fire at Wood End, Little Treffgarne. All fires were extinguished using hose reel jets.
Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service community safety manager, David Morgan, said: "Grass Fires can have very serious consequences, these sort of fires are extremely dangerous and unpredictable, and they can quickly spread out of control.
"Many of these fires are started deliberately, but by following a few simple precautions many others could be prevented."
He urged members of the public to dispose of smoking materials, such as cigarettes, safely; clear away bottles, glasses and broken glass which can magnify the sun and start fires; never to leave camp fires or barbeques unattended and to extinguish them properly and to explain to children the dangers of playing with and lighting fires.
"If you see a grass fire, don't attempt to put it out yourself as grass fires can travel very quickly and change direction without warning," he said.
"We would ask people to report anyone they see deliberately lighting fires, or suspect of starting fires, by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. All calls are completely confidential."
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