Politixia
The comments come after West Mercia Police warned the farming community about reports of a TikTok challenge encouraging users to “set fire to as much stuff as possible”.
In a message circulated several weeks ago, the force said: “Following a recent spate of overnight arson attacks on hay stacks in the north of England there appears to be a TikTok challenge to ‘set fire to as much stuff as possible’.
“I know the farming community will be aware of the dangers of the dry weather but if it is possible to send out a message to all your members to be extra vigilant.”
Responding on Friday, Hay-on-Wye councillor Gareth Ratcliffe said recent wildfires across the border region had highlighted the dangers of such behaviour.
“It is so sad and frustrating to see the hills around the rural communities burning after months of dry weather and following our recent heatwave,” the Welsh Liberal Democrat said.
“What is particularly disappointing is seeing people deliberately setting fires as part of a social media trend, apparently to see who can create the biggest or best fire.
“This is not harmless fun.
“It can cause massive environmental damage, put lives at risk, endanger wildlife and livestock, and seriously affect the livelihoods of local farmers.”
Councillor Ratcliffe said the issue reflected a wider problem with social media, allowing people to take part in dangerous behaviour without fully considering the consequences.
“There needs to be greater responsibility for people who deliberately promote or participate in these activities,” he said.
He also warned that not all fire risks are deliberate.
“The same applies to people who think, ‘It won’t happen to me’ whether that’s lighting a barbecue in unsafe conditions, dropping a cigarette, or just dropping a glass bottle down on the floor at the Warren.
“It only takes one spark to cause devastation.”
His comments come as firefighters across Wales and the Midlands continue to deal with multiple wildfires during exceptionally dry conditions.
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Paying tribute to those tackling the blazes, Councillor Ratcliffe said: “A huge thank you to the firefighters, farmers, volunteers and everyone else who has gone above and beyond to protect our hills, communities, wildlife and livelihoods.”
He added that deliberately setting fires for social media attention was “completely irresponsible” and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
“Please think before you light a fire, drop a cigarette or take part in these dangerous trends,” he said.
“It’s not just your risk, it’s everyone else’s.”
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