Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are warning that tackling deliberate grass fires is putting a strain on emergency service resources and water supplies during the prolonged dry spell.
The Fire Service currently has multiple crews mobilised tackling numerous grass fire incidents across the region - the firefighters have appealed for people to be vigilant of fires being started deliberately and to get in contact if they have information about the causes of the fires.
Fighting grass fires is placing an unnecessary strain on water resources at a time when June has been confirmed as the hottest on record in Wales.
The fire service has eight fire engines in use tackling grass fires, and has also brought a helicopter into use to draw extra water in the effort. At an ongoing incident at Twmbarlwm, a total of 250 hectares of land has already been affected by grass fires roughly the same as 250 rugby pitches. Welsh Water said it is too early to measure the total devastating impact on the environment across all areas affected.
The water company is supplying the fire service with around a million litres of water a week through tankers to help fight mountain fires, which avoids the service having to connect to our network through fire hydrants, which can discolour the water.
It has also allowed the service access to reservoirs, including Llandegfedd and Cwmtillery, to allow them to collect water for its helicopters.
Gwent Police has also increased patrols in the area as well as bringing in aerial support of drones in target areas to undergo surveillance and gather information used to support prosecutions.
Managing Director of Welsh Water, Peter Perry, said:
"As well as the significant burden on resources of the emergency services, tackling these fires is diverting valuable drinking water supplies at a time when we're experiencing some of the hottest weather on record.
"While we are working flat out to maintain supplies as normal during the dry spell, pumping more than a billion litres a day into our network and with 450 people working seven days a week to find and repair leaks on our network, we need everyone to help us in this effort."
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