FIRE CREWS in Ammanford were forced to deal with 17 grass fire calls in just 12 hours on Monday.

They were scrambled to blazes throughout the Amman Valley, from Betws to Cwmllynfell.

There were also fires in Brynaman, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Cwmgors.

Watch manager Shaun Phillips said: "Monday's calls about grass fires started at 2.25pm and the last came in at 2.50am on Tuesday — in that time we had 17 calls, it's incredible."

Firefighters were also forced to deal with around 10 blazes on the Black Mountain in Brynaman, in Cwmgors and Cefnbrynbrain on Saturday and Sunday.

Officers believe at least some of the fires they dealt with were started deliberately.

Matthew Roberts, who was watch manager over the weekend, said resources were so stretched, they had to call for back-up from 30 miles away.

"We used two pumps from Ammanford, but because there were so many blazes, an engine from Seven Sisters had to be called," he said.

"We were back and forth for most of Saturday and Sunday because there were so many of them," said Mr Roberts.

"But when it became dark, we had to leave the fires burn," he added.

Mr Roberts said there had been a spate of grass fires right across the area.

"The firefighters from Tumble had to wait in Swansea because there were so many fires down that way."

In total, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service received 106 calls regarding grass fires over the weekend alone.

David Morgan, the service's community safety manager, said: "Grass Fires can have very serious consequences. These sort of fires are extremely dangerous and unpredictable, and they can quickly spread out of control."