June 2025
I’m sure all Friends members will have been delighted with the dry and sunny spring season we’ve just enjoyed. It was certainly a great opportunity to see and experience our special landscape at its very best. Our picture shows the River Alun at Loggerheads – run dry and flowing underground by mid-March, far earlier than normal.
As ever, of course, there are downsides and the ever present risk of fire was a constant worry for the NL team. It’s disappointing to note here that there was a very significant 350Ha fire on the northern slopes on the National Landscape’s highest peak, Moel Fferna in the Berwyn Range. The flames reached within a few feet of the 2060 foot summit. Fortunately, the rest of our area escaped serious damage.
The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Ranger team were on hand to support the North Wales and Fire Rescue service with the response to fire supplying trained staff and fire fighting equipment such as vehicle mounted fire foggers to fight the fire, organise contractor support to cut firebreaks and provide local knowledge. Thanks to these efforts and support from the landowners, grazier and helicopter presence the fire was suppressed within 48 hours.