By Sue Evans, Policy Director, GWCT Wales
Following yet another devastating wildfire - this time at Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain with far reaching effects highlighted by the smoke seen across Anglesey - GWCT Cymru extends its deepest sympathy to the farmers anxious about the safety of their livestock and livelihoods, the communities affected and the firefighters working hard to bring them under control. As summers become warmer and drier, the threat of wildfire is escalating rapidly, demanding a proactive and collaborative response.
To mitigate the risk and severity of these catastrophic events, GWCT is urging the adoption of an all-encompassing strategy. Managing the nation's ever-increasing vegetation fuel load is critical, and the land management community has continually argued that we must utilise every tool in the toolbox. This includes controlled, prescribed burning, cutting, grazing, peatland restoration, public education given that the majority of wildfire ignitions are human-related.
Prescribed burning, conducted strictly during the winter months, safely reduces the fuel load without damaging the underlying soils or peat. GWCT advises that creating effective fire breaks involves burning strategic strips, ideally several hundred meters long and 20 meters wide. This specific method removes the volatile above-ground vegetation while leaving the rootstock unharmed protected by the litter layer.
Furthermore, farmers and gamekeepers play an invaluable role on the front lines, actively fighting wildfires and serving as a major asset to official fire services. To better support them and enhance resilience, there must be more encouragement from government for the work that they do supported by risk assessments and emergency action plans across vulnerable areas.
GWCT remains committed to supporting farmers and rural communities by providing advice on creating best habitat for wildlife along side establishing robust fire breaks. More must be done to prepare for these inevitable challenges and protect our countryside and communities.
Photo credit: Gareth Wyn-Jones