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'Massive' wildfire spike after Wales' long and hot summer.txt
'Massive' wildfire spike after Wales' long and spade pokerhot summerSkip to contentBritish Broadcasting CorporationRegisterSign InHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. 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Drought has been declared in north and south east Wales after the driest six months recorded in almost 50 years.Fire services have urged people to educate themselves about the risks of fireCombining all grassland, woodland, crop and wildfire blazes, Wales' three fire services have so far tackled 2,918 incidents this year.That puts it ahead of the figures for the same point in 2022 - when 2,708 had been recorded - meaning the services are on course for their busiest year this decade.Station commander Mr Williams said the hotter, drier summer had led to a "massive spike" in the deployment of the service's all terrain vehicle."This year it was forecasted that it would be a hotter, drier summer, so you've got that risk."Sometimes it's to do with unmanaged land - if they're not managed and a fire has caught, then that can cause more severe wildfires."0:21South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it had dealt with 1,429 grassland fires so far this yearMr Williams said the fire service had helped farmers burn their land, worked with landowners to improve access to remote areas and educated young people on fire risks."It's about understanding that if you've got yourselves a disposable barbecue make sure that you're putting down slabs, so that it doesn't burn down to the grass and catch fire."But he said climate change meant it was "inevitable" wildfires would become more frequent in the future."If people feel at risk, I would urge them to contact the fire service and we can help with trying to reduce or mitigate those," he added.Mr Williams said it was more resourceful to have one officer help a farmer burn some land safely, than 10 fire trucks turning up "because you'd lost control". "It's about that partnership approach where we can work together."Analysis by BBC meteorologists Derek Brockway and Sabrina LeeHot spells are to be expected over the summer and there is the potential for Wales to have its hottest summer on record.The highest temperature we've had so far this year is 33.1C, with parts of Wales having also seen four heatwaves.Last summer was the coolest since 2015 and even as the climate changes we can still get cool summers. However, when looking at the overall trend over recent decades, temperatures are rising with our summers becoming hotter and drier, with more frequent and intense heatwaves in the future due to climate change.Summer 2025 'almost certainly' UK's hottest on recordTrains used as 'fire engines on rails' in hot weather Drought declared after driest six months in decadesWalesSouth Wales Fire and Rescue ServiceWildfiresMid and West Wales Fire and Rescue ServiceNorth Wales Fire and Rescue ServiceRelatedArrest after swastikas painted in townCathedral choir suspended over 'inappropriate' songRed-faced spider monkey goes for CT scan at vetsMore from the BBC17 hrs agoInvestigation under way into cause of moor fireThe blaze on Langdale Moor remains a major incident a month since it started, the fire service says.17 hrs ago4 days agoMoor fire volunteers reflect on 'relentless' taskFarmers who helped tackle the huge Langdale Moor wildfire look back on their experiences.4 days ago5 days agoCould drones be the answer to protect peatlands from wildfires?It comes after significant wildfires in the summer caused severe damage to land. 5 days ago6 days agoCaravan park boss thanks farmers for wildfire helpCaroline Butterfield says her business on Langdale Moor would have gone up in smoke without them.6 days ago8 days agoWildfire ravages historic California gold rush town destroying homesA fast-moving wildfire scorched the historic gold rush town of Chinese Camp destroying at least five homes and prompting evacuations.8 days agoBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherBBC ShopBritBoxBBC in other languagesFollow BBC on:Terms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpContact the BBCAdvertise with usDo not share or sell my infoBBC.com Help & FAQsContent IndexCopyright 2025 BBC. 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