Wildfire science expert Stefan Doerr of Swansea University described the increasing incidents of wildfires as “disastrous”.
“We haven’t had any [wildfire] fatalities in the UK and fingers crossed it won’t happen. But this is usually when people wake up, at least in terms of policy-making, to make a change, but I hope we can make a change before that happens.”
“Our landscape is too flammable,” Doerr warned.
“Apart from trying to reduce ignitions through education, we must manage our land better year round to reduce the accumulation of flammable vegetation in the landscape.”
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said work was already taking place across Wales through education, prevention campaigns, partnership working and land management initiatives.
Wildfires during the summer months have increased during the past 10 years, according to firefighter of more than 30 years, Craig Hope from Rhondda.
As a result, they become more difficult to extinguish and prevent from reigniting due to the land being much drier than during the spring, he said.
“We need to be careful as to how we manage our resources. We can’t keep throwing fire engines and fire crews at these fires because it limits their everyday business in the community.
“This is why we need to move more towards wildfire tactical advisers, people who can make plans for these fires to limit their impact,” said Hope, who is currently the UK Government’s National Wildfire Resilience Capability Adviser.
“Obviously our response to wildfires is very important, but we need to look ahead more at the risks.”
Hope said approaches like better land management and preparing the mountains and moorlands for the risk of wildfire can help deal with the risks.
“If we’re going to be doing more re-wilding then we need to be doing more firebreaks as well,” he added.
The Welsh government said: “Wildfire has long been a serious risk in many parts of Wales, and climate change is increasing that risk further, particularly during summer heatwave conditions.
“This is a matter we take very seriously as a government as we look to ensure we are resilient to the impacts in the longer term.”
Natural Resources Wales said it was working with government and partner organisations to improve prevention, preparedness and response to wildfires.
