Arson attack ravages important wildlife habitat in Kinmel Bay

Jun 10 2010 by Ian Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

CONCERNS have been raised for wildlife after a blaze ravaged 100 square metres of sand dunes in Kinmel Bay.

The fire at Horton’s Nose was deliberately started in the marram grass, which is home to many plants and animals including the common lizard which burrows and basks in the marram grass and open sand patches, sky larks and burnet moth.

Along the water’s edge, cormorant, sandwich tern and oystercatchers can also be seen.

Toni Proffitt, Denbighshire’s coastal access officer, said: “It is a great shame that people have to harm such a lovely place, spoiling the enjoyment of the site for others.

“I really hope that no wildlife was affected by the fire.”

Fire engines from Rhyl and Abergele were called to the blaze at 4.35pm on Thursday, June 3.

Armed with beaters, it took crews almost 40 minutes to control the fire.

As well as being an important habitat for wildlife, the sand dunes are vital as a natural sea defence – it is the deep root network of the marram grass that stabilises the dunes, allowing them to perform this essential function.

Burning the marram can have serious consequences, not just for the wildlife but the people of the area too.

Although situated in Conwy county, Horton’s Nose is owned and managed by Denbighshire Countryside Service and is one of 18 such sites in the north of the county.

Work has been carried out on the site as part of the All Wales Coastal Path to formalise access and give people a place to view Rhyl from a different angle.

The ause of the fire is not yet known.