FIRE crews in Powys worked hard to battle a mountain wildfire fire that was started deliberately this week.

The wildfire started on Cwm Sorgwm, near Llangors Mountain, in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.

Crews from nearby Talgarth and Brecon were called to the scene just before 1pm on Wednesday, May 17, battling the fire until 8pm.

“At 12.56pm on Wednesday, May 17, the Talgarth and Brecon crews responded to an incident at Cwm Sorgwm, following reports of large plumes of smoking coming from Llangors Mountain,” said the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service in a statement.

“Crews dealt with a wildfire of approximately 30 hectares in size. Crews extinguished the fire by utilising a wildfire prediction system, natural control lines, wildfire blowers, knapsacks and beaters. 

“Crews continued to monitor the scene for hot spots. The cause of the fire was deliberate. Crews left the scene at 8pm.”

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The force has highlighted the work done by Operation Dawns Glaw in battling fires started deliberately in rural Powys in recent years, with incidents becoming more frequent.

Operation Dawns Glaw is a multi-agency taskforce working across Wales to reduce, and where possible eliminate, the impact of grass fires.

Every year, fire is responsible for the destruction of thousands of hectares of countryside, open space and wildlife habitats. 

In 2022 fire services across Wales attended 3,269 grassfire incidents – this was an increase of 62 per cent on the previous year, with deliberate grass fires increasing by 1,542 (47 per cent) to 2,263.

Starting a deliberate fire is a criminal offence. You can report a deliberate fire anonymously by calling Cymru/Wales CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111. In an emergency, always dial 999.