PENDINE: ‘Before there is loss of life’: urgent bid to bar vehicles from Morfa Bychan after cliff fire

An urgent attempt to bar vehicles from Morfa Bychan is underway, after the cliff fire that burned for days above Pendine came close to critical water and power infrastructure.

Pendine Community Council called an extraordinary meeting on the fire, and draft minutes just published reveal how serious the incident became, and what happens next.

The fire at Morfa Bychan began on 16 August and took almost 60 hours to put out, with sixteen fire stations involved. The minutes record that it reignited on 17 and 18 August, and one resident reported seeing it flare again on the day of the meeting itself.

Particular concern was raised about how close the flames came to a Welsh Water pumping station, described as a significant asset supplying the area towards Narberth, and an 11,000-volt overhead electricity line. The meeting heard damage could have meant prolonged disruption to water supplies.

Firefighters struggled to reach parts of the site because of the terrain, with local farmers helping by carrying water and damping down.

Residents’ accounts were stark. One was evacuated from her home and only learned of the fire when friends came to help her, telling the meeting residents “should not have to live in fear” and urging action before there was loss of life.

Another, on a farm backing onto the valley, knew nothing until she opened her door, raising concerns about the lack of any warning system. A walker who saw the fire reignite could not make an emergency call because of the mobile blackspot.

The prevailing wind, the chairman said, was all that kept the fire from spreading towards the valley, farms and homes.

Behind the fire sits a 20-year-old problem. Morfa Bychan, a Site of Special Scientific Interest owned largely by the National Trust and home to burial chambers and Second World War structures, has drawn long-running complaints about camping, fires, waste and anti-social behaviour.

The track down is a Byway Open to All Traffic, which past attempts have failed to restrict. A gate reinforced with chain and padlock was simply cut. A proposed Public Spaces Protection Order was dropped after Carmarthenshire County Council’s legal team advised against enforcing an order on privately owned land.

“Once they get down there your options are limited,” one resident told the meeting, in a widely shared view that stopping vehicles reaching the camping areas matters more than dealing with people once they arrive.

The agreed answer is a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order restricting motor vehicles, while keeping access for pedestrians, riders, emergency services and Welsh Water. The council’s clerk began the process the morning after the meeting, and residents asked whether it could be in place before the Hot Rods event brings crowds to Pendine.

Cllr Jane Tremlett, Carmarthenshire County Council cabinet member, said the order should be pursued urgently and offered to take it to senior officers. Ann Davies, Plaid Cymru MP for Caerfyrddin, called it “particularly worthy of urgent consideration” and offered to take the issue forward as constituency casework, while Gareth Beer, Reform UK MS for Sir Gaerfyrddin, pledged cross-party support and began work the following day.

The National Trust is investigating a stronger gate, CCTV, and boulders placed to block vehicles while keeping emergency access, though the minutes record Welsh Water’s caution that security measures should not advertise the pumping station’s location. A resident has donated a trail camera, with a police community support officer helping to site it.

Longer-term options discussed include fire breaks, grazing to reduce fuel, and even re-wetting parts of the valley to make it unsuitable for camping, all subject to Natural Resources Wales and the site’s protections. Residents were urged to report social media posts promoting Morfa Bychan as a camping spot.

A follow-up meeting to review progress is planned for September. The chairman, Cllr Andrew Shaw, closed by saying the meeting “must now lead to action”.