THE number of grass fires in Gwent has tripled in the past two months compared with the same period last year, new figures show.

Data obtained from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service show the total number of fires attended across South Wales have more than doubled year on year, mainly due to a significant increase in mountainside blazes.

From June to date there have been 644 grass fires across the region, compared with just 63 for the whole of June and July 2012.

Figures show there were more than 255 across the whole of South Wales last month Ð 84 of which were in Gwent compared with 26 last year.

Since July 1 firefighters have dealt with 374 across south Wales Ð 306 of which were started deliberately.

Overall the total number of fires attended increased by 907 across south Wales in the past two months Ð up 136 per cent on last year.

In Blaenau Gwent there were 75 more incidents, 28 more in Monmouthshire, 58 in Torfaen and 113 more in Newport. No breakdown for Caerphilly was given.

The Fire Brigades Union has warned fire services may struggle to cope if the hot weather continues.

Matt Wrack, general secretary, said: "With hundreds of grassfires taking place last week and against a backdrop of millions of pounds worth of cuts, the additional threats of flash floods and other fire rescue operations will add significant threats to public safety across the country."

But SWFRS insist it has "resilient, tried and tested" contingency plans in place to respond to incidents of extreme conditions like the recent spate of grass fires.

Huw Jakeway, Chief Fire Officer of SWFRS, said: "It can take us longer to respond to incidents in the towns and villages of South Wales if we are on top of a mountain tackling a forest fire.

"Deliberate grass fires are dangerous and unpredictable, and can quickly spread out of control. As we have seen recently our firefighters battle against these unpredictable fires under arduous conditions, with them often spreading across difficult and sometimes inaccessible terrain Ð they must stop."

Earlier this month, firecrews tackled a 25-acre blaze on a mountainside above Wattsville.

Fire also broke out on a neighbouring mountain near Cwmfelinfach.

The position of the blaze, high up on the mountainside, was difficult to put out, with the hot weather a factor and the helicopter had to be drafted in.