South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with South Wales Police, the Forestry Commission and Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT) County Borough Council to stage ‘Operation Phoenix ‘ – an partnership initiative aimed at reducing the number of grass fires in the Rhondda Valleys over Easter.

All-terrain Fire Service and Forestry Commission vehicles, Police off road motorcycles, an ASBO Enforcement Team and a closed circuit television (CCTV) Unit are just some of the resources being used by the partner agencies as they patrol the mountain side over the next few weeks on the look out for would be arsonists, in a determined effort to avoid a repeat of the misery of last spring, when RCT suffered more than half of the total number of deliberately set grass and mountain fires in the entire South Wales Fire and Rescue Service delivery area (see statistics below).

The joint partnership was set up by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Arson Reduction Officer Des Mason, as part of the organisation’s Wild Fire Project – a multi-pronged approach to, including education, enforcement, operational tactics, training and partnership working.

“We believe that Rhondda Cynon Taff suffers the highest number of grass fires in the UK”, said Des

“The only way to tackle this recurring problem is a concerted effort by all interested agencies – and we are extremely fortunate that the issue has been fully embraced by these partners. People just don’t seem to grasp how serious the issue of grass fires is. Grass and mountain fires are unpredictable and can spiral out of control within minutes. One day, someone is going to lose their lives – and that might even be one of our own Firefighters.

Des continued: “Every time our Firefighters are called out to a grass or mountain fire, not only does it cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds, but it also means that Firefighters could be diverted from attending a real emergency – someone trapped in a house fire or a crashed car.

“That’s not to mention the complete destruction of the environment and the deterrent to inward investment in this beautiful part of the world.

Inspector Mike Jones, of the South Wales Police, is fully committed to the project and believes that pooling the resources of all the agencies involved will have positive results.

“Arson is a crime, and we will arrest and prosecute anyone we catch lighting these fires”, he said.

“These people are endangering their own lives as well as the lives and property of others in the community. Deliberate fire setters could be subject to prosecution under various laws including the destruction of the environment and wildlife, the disturbance of protected species and damage to property” added Inspector Jones.

On specific days over the coming weeks, Firefighters, Police Officers, Forestry Commission Officers, and Rhondda Cynon Taff’s ASBO Enforcement Unit will be patrolling the area in their all terrain vehicles, and the CCTV Unit will monitor the hill sides and will be in constant contact with the Police and Fire Control Rooms. .

People should contact their local police station or Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) immediately if they see anyone involved in lighting fires.