RARE Welsh ponies came within metres of being burnt alive after a disposable barbecue was left unattended near sand dunes between Prestatyn and Talacre.
More than 60 Carneddau ponies had been relocated to the area by owner Berwyn Jones, who runs a conservation grazing business that improves wildlife habitats at several sites around North and Mid Wales.
The ponies are an ancient Celtic breed, genetically distinct from Welsh Mountain Ponies.
Mr Jones, from Llanfairfechan, Conwy, works with North Wales Wildlife Trust, Natural Resources Wales and RSPB Cymru to preserve and take care of the animals.
One site where they graze is 40-acre marshland and sand dunes running from Presthaven Sands in Prestatyn to Talacre lighthouse, Flintshire, which is part of the Gronant Dunes and Talacre Warren SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).
A few weeks ago, Berwyn received reports of six ponies endangered by a fire nearby, with flames up to 50ft high.
The fire was eventually put out by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, with other options beforehand involving Mr Jones moving the ponies further away, which was itself a dangerous prospect.
Mr Jones, director of BG Jones Conservation Grazing, said the experience and close escape was “scary”, adding: “The day after we could see what damage the fire had done and how close my project and ponies were from danger.
“Very scary as an owner.
“The public seem to ignore the basics of countryside conduct and ignore all signs from warning signs to keep dogs on leads at all time.
“It's also a nature reserve and wild animals roam – it's not rocket science but some people don't think and are just completely ignorant.”
Major supermarket chains stopped selling disposable barbecues once drought was declared across large areas of the country this summer, while Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Aldi have said they will no longer stock disposable barbecues because of the potential impact they have on the environment and wildlife, a move Berwyn is a firm supporter of.
“I understand families need to enjoy the sun and get to the hotspots of rural areas, but keep to all footpaths and do not stray off them,” said Berwyn.
“Disposable barbecue should be banned altogether along with helium balloons and Chinese lanterns, now they are a danger to crops and all animals.”
The land the fire occurred on belongs to Flintshire Council and Presthaven Sands Holiday Park, and the trespassers even threatened to take Mr Jones to court.
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