Launch of new video - A guide for landowners

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service emphasises how important it is to 'call us before you burn!' - and encourages landowners to take on board some basic safety procedures and notify the fire and rescue service before they conduct their burn.

The Heather and Grass Burning Code states that burning is allowed only between the 1^st of October and the 31^st of March in upland areas and the 1^st of November and the 15^th of March elsewhere:

https://gov.wales/heather-and-grass-burning-code

Many farmers take the opportunity to undertake controlled burning of heather, grass bracken and gorse on their land and should not continue this the practice beyond the burning season.

Paul Kay, Head of Fire Safety, says: "Every year we are called to countless false alarms and controlled burns which have spread.

"We are urging all landowners undertaking controlled burning to notify us by calling our control room on 01931 522 006. This will help avoid false alarms and crews being sent out unnecessarily as well as ensuring we are ready to respond in the event of a burn getting out of control.

"When the weather is dry it is easy for fires to spread. These fires are often in areas where access is extremely difficult and water supply is limited - should the fire get out of control, this can place tremendous pressure on resources, with firefighters tied up for a considerable length of time trying to bring them under control. These fires can put homes, livestock and the lives of crews and residents at risk as firefighters are kept from attending genuine emergencies.

Please follow the guidelines below if you are planning a controlled burn:

Ensure you have sufficient people and equipment to control the fire

Check wind direction and ensure there is no risk to property, roads and wildlife

If a fire gets out of control contact the fire service immediately giving details of location and access

It is illegal to leave a fire unattended or to have too few people to control it.

Always ensure a fire is completely out before you leave it and check next day to ensure it has not reignited.

Click here to view our Safe Burning leaflet.

The Wales Wildfire Board is a multi-agency approach to better understand and manage the risk of wildfire on the environment and the communities of Wales.

It’s aims and objectives, delivered through a Wales Wildfire Charter, build on the knowledge and experience gained over the last decade whilst paying cognisance to the ever-present danger of climate change and the value of encouraging communities and individuals to work together to protect the areas where we live, work and visit.

Read more about the Wales Wildfire Board here.