Llangollen beauty spot in flames

The blaze on the Panorama, above Llangollen, was the second in a month. Police patrols are being stepped up as the Easter holidays get underway.

Firefighters struggled to contain the fire which broke out at about 7.30pm on Sunday.

Hundreds of people had visited the limestone outcrop, popular with walkers, over the weekend taking advantage of the good weather.

Three fire crews were sent to the scene and fire chiefs said firefighters struggled to contain the blaze as the increasing wind fanned the flames.

As night fell the blaze could be seen from across the Dee Valley and as far away as Chirk.

A spokesman for Llangollen fire station said: "The wind conditions made it very challenging for us to extinguish. This fire was deliberate with no thought for fire appliance availability, public safety, wildlife or the environment."

A crew remained at the scene throughout the night to ensure the fire did not re-ignite and firefighters returned to the scene on Monday to dampen down the mountain with hose reel jets and beaters.

Emergency services and other authorities have joined forces to tackle the problem of deliberate grass fire setting in Wales.

Last week there were two gorse and bracken fires in Snowdonia.

Sergeant Colin Jones said; “Setting fire to gorse and bracken can have serious consequences, risking people’s lives and property and diverting emergency services when they may be needed urgently elsewhere.

"Being found guilty of arson can have a lifelong impact on the perpetrator. As a result of these recent incidents we have stepped up our patrols.”

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mick Crennell, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are doing everything we can to reduce the number of deliberate grass fires across Wales. Arson is a serious crime. Deliberately setting fire to our countryside is no laughing matter and places your family and friends, especially the elderly and vulnerable at risk, as well as endangering birds and wildlife in these areas. By working together, those responsible will be caught and face the full force of the law."

“We would urge parents to know the whereabouts of their children at all times and to impress upon them that deliberate fires can endanger lives. We would also appeal to the public to remain vigilant and help us protect our communities and our countryside, by reporting any suspicious activity immediately to the Police”.

He also reminded farmers and land owners that the controlled burning season ended at the end of March.

"It is against the law to burn outside of the burning season without a special licence and those doing so could face penalties of up to a £1000."