A MOUNTAIN fire in Gwent which started two months ago could still spark up at any time, firefighters are warning.

They believe peat beneath the surface of Blorenge Mountain could still be smouldering.

Officers are visiting the scene daily to check the flames have not re-ignited.

Kay Galvin, community safety officer, said the fire was officially put out on June 20.

"We've been up for further grass fires since the main fire has gone out and there have been several isolated incidents," she said. "There could still be hot spots."

Ms Galvin said there was still a risk the fire could re-start. "It's a peat fire and the peat is burning under the ground," she said. "It can suddenly flare up, depending on wind conditions and so on."

Jeff Mears, assistant divisional officer based in New Inn, explained how smouldering peat was detected.

"It can smoke up or steam can rise from it if it's damp," he said. "We deal with it by either digging it out or by flooding the area." The fire caught hold on the Blaenavon side of the mountain in May. Investigators believe arsonists started it. The alarm was raised on May 23 and the fire peaked on May 28.

Up to five square miles of the designated Site of Special Interest was ravaged, killing protected reptiles, like the adder and the common lizard. Many animals' nests were also destroyed.

Birds, including skylarks, linnets, meadow pipets, stonechat and whinchat, which breed on the mountain also perished.

Moorland vegetation, such as heather, bilberry and cowberry, was burnt. More than 16 appliances from across Gwent fought to keep the blaze under control.

At one point the fire was travelling at around eight metres a minute and flames were 30ft high.

Rocky, potholed ground meant firefighters carried water to the flames in backpacks and used beaters.

The Argus revealed earlier this year that arson attacks in Gwent cost taxpayers £14m a year.