Uncontrolled Fire

Controlled heather and grass burning is an important traditional management practice which provides a continuous supply of vigorous and nutritious plant material for livestock, moorland game and wildlife.

The Results of Uncontrolled Fires on Gower:

However, uncontrolled fire can be counter productive to the management of commons and cause problems such as:

	destruction of peat layers leading to soil erosion [photo of erosion to be supplied by Sion]
encouragement of fire tolerant species such as gorse, bracken and purple moor grass
damage to property	reduction in grazing quality of commons
harm to ground nesting birds	destruction of wildlife habitats

If you see a fire on a common, dial 999 and ask for the Fire Brigade.
Follow the Commons Code: don’t have camp fires, portable barbeques or any other sort of ignition that can start a grass fire.

Click here for what the law says.

A guide to heather and grass burning has been produced, which provides information on how to safely plan and carry out a controlled burn within the framework of burning legislation and good agricultural practice. Download a copy here [image of cover of booklet] or call the Gower Commons Initiative on 01792 391670 for your free copy.

Site produced by Selina Taylor