FIREFIGHTERS tackled a mountain blaze covering 600sq metres in Gwynedd.

Two crews from Caernarfon and one each from Bangor and Llanberis rushed to the scene at Y Fron near Rhosgadfan.

A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue said: "We were called at 5.09pm on Thursday evening to attend an incident in Y Fron, Gwynedd.

"600sq metres of land, gorse and bracken was affected and 15 beaters were used to extinguish the flames. The stop was made at 7.28pm and the cause was believed to be a controlled burning that had gotten out of control."

The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are urging people to avoid carrying out controlled burns due to the increased pressures they are facing from the coronavirus crisis.

They have also issued a warning about deliberate fires, following a spate of arson attacks across North Wales this week

Following the fires, Tim Owen, Arson Reduction Manager said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable. Three of these fires were set at The Dingle, Llangefni – an area which is closed to the public. The individuals setting the fires should not have even been in the area, let alone starting deliberate fires which put extra pressure on emergency services resources which are already stretched at this time. We need residents to help reduce demand on our firefighters.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to parents to tell their children to stay home and impress upon them the message that deliberate fires endanger lives."