News

Fire service unveils new wildfire strategy after surge in incidents

Published

3 months ago

December 16, 2025

NEW long-term plan follows landmark engagement process as 2025 wildfire figures hit record high

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has unveiled a new long-term strategy to tackle the growing threat of wildfires, following what it described as a landmark engagement process involving firefighters, land managers, partner agencies and community representatives.

The Service said the plan comes in response to a sharp rise in wildfire incidents across the region, driven by climate change, land-use pressures and deliberate fire-setting, with costs and risks to public and firefighter safety continuing to escalate.

The approach was shaped through a series of “Balanced Room” workshops, designed to give equal weight to operational staff, external partners and community voices. Fire chiefs say this collaborative process helped identify practical solutions to one of the most persistent risks facing rural Wales.

Wildfires on the rise

According to figures released by the Service, around sixty-five per cent of wildfires in Mid and West Wales are started deliberately, based on a ten-year average. Grass fire incidents have fluctuated sharply in recent years, with 1,224 recorded in 2022 — one of the worst years on record — before falling to 671 in 2023 and 381 in 2024, largely due to wetter weather.

However, 2025 has already seen 1,257 incidents, surpassing the 2022 total and making it the highest figure in recent years. The Service has also reported 102 vehicle accidents linked to wildfire response in 2024/25, adding further pressure to already stretched budgets.

Fire officers warned that although wet conditions can suppress fires in the short term, unmanaged vegetation increases fuel loads, creating greater danger during future dry spells.

Agreed priorities

Through two in-person workshops and a follow-up online session, participants tested a wide range of ideas against safety, legal and financial criteria. Five key principles were agreed to guide future decisions: collaboration and partnership; prevention first; specialist capability and consistency; learning and continuous improvement; and deliverability aligned with national policy.

From this, a shorter list of options was developed for formal appraisal and consideration by senior leaders.

The refined proposals cover the full wildfire cycle — prevention, protection, response and recovery — and include a cross-cutting focus on improved communications and data sharing to support real-time decision-making.

Other proposals include expanded public education and behaviour-change campaigns, closer engagement with farmers and land managers, the use of technology such as drones and satellite mapping to identify risk, and improvements to firefighter equipment, welfare and specialist training.

The plan also explores the development of specialist wildfire teams, more flexible vehicles suited to rural terrain, collaborative aerial firefighting capability, and structured post-incident follow-up to reduce repeat fires.

Next steps

The options have now been appraised and presented to the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Executive Leadership Team. Discussions are focusing on how the measures should be prioritised and phased, and how they will be embedded within the Service’s Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2040.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said the process demonstrated the value of joint working.

He said: “This process has shown the power of collaboration. By listening to our staff, partners and communities, we’ve developed practical, innovative options that will strengthen our ability to prevent and respond to wildfires.

“Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Wales.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

18 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.