Fire crews had to use a helicopter to put were  out a 60-hectare fire in the south of the county.

Crews from Talgarth, Rhayader and Crickhowell were called on April 20 called to a grass fire incident inon a hillside near Talgarth.

Approximately 60 hectares of land and gorse was affected by the fire, crews usedfire beaters and knapsacks to control and extinguish the fire.

However, as the fire travelled upwards towards the top of the mountain, access for the crews became unsafe and unpractical, therefore it was decided to utilise a helicopter to assist in the firefighting efforts. 

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “The use of the helicopter relieved the crews of their duties at this incident and allowed for them to return to their home stations and to respond to other incidents. 

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“It also stopped the fire from reaching and potentially destroying an ancient peat bog at the top of the mountain – peat bogs take thousands of years to form and they play a crucial role in carbon capture, as well as providing habitats for a variety of plants and wildlife.”

The final crew members left the scene at 8.35pm.

The fire service have said that the cause of the grass fire is “believed to be deliberate, due to a planned burn getting out of control.”

They have warned residents that as the weather is dry it is easy for fires to spread.

The spokesperson for the service added: “These fires are often in areas where access is extremely difficult and water supply is limited - should the fire get out of control, this can place tremendous pressure on resources, with firefighters tied up for a considerable length of time trying to bring them under control.

“These fires can put homes, livestock and the lives of crews and residents at risk as firefighters are kept from attending genuine emergencies.

“Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging all members of the public to inform the Service of any planned burns, regardless of its size.”