A barbecue is thought to have caused a forest fire which scorched 40 hectares of land on the edge of the national park last week - the second fire in as many days.

Fire crews from Abercrave, Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Ammanford were called out to an incident at Coelbren, Abercrave at 9.47am on Friday morning.

Approximately 40 hectares of forestry and scrub land was destroyed by fire.

Crews extinguished the fire by using a helicopter drone, thermal imaging camera, all-terrain vehicle and rapid response vehicle. 

The landowner was advised to monitor the area over the weekend. 

Crews found remnants of a barbecue at the scene which is believed to have caused this fire.

Crews left the scene at 7.04pm.

This incident was the second forest fire in the area as many days.

The Abercrave, Seven Sisters, Pontardawe, Ammanford, Tumble, Brecon, Neath and Amman Valley crews had responded to a fire at Coelbren just a day before on Thursday.

Approximately 30 hectares of forestry was destroyed and crews used the wildfire helicopter to extinguish the blaze.

The fire service believe that this fire was caused deliberately.

The last few weeks have been extremely busy for fire and rescue crews across Wales who have been dealing with several wildfire incidents. 

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has attended more than 490 wildfire incidents so far in 2023, of these incidents, 341 of them are believed to have been started deliberately.

Wildfires are responsible for the destruction of thousands of hectares of countryside, open space and wildlife habitats every year. 

Helpful advice on keeping safe outdoors is available on the fire service's website.