Fire-hit Llantysilio mountain could be re-seeded by helicopter
- Published
Helicopters could be used to re-seed the slopes of a mountain which burned for two months, causing "catastrophic damage” to nature.
The fire on Llantysilio Mountain, above Llangollen, Denbighshire, lasted from mid-July to September in 2018.
Re-seeding on foot could be dangerous because of instability caused by burning peat away, according to Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
Using helicopters in this way is “novel” in the UK, a report said.
The NRW study made the suggestion because of the extent of the damage.
About 250 hectares (617 acres) , including heather, bilberry and gorse cover.
The suggested technique is known as helicopter hydro-seeding and uses mulch and a “tackifier” - a compound to increase stickiness - which could be added to water or used dry and distributed from a bucket slung under a helicopter.
The process is used successfully in places like New Zealand and the USA but is relatively new in the UK, the report said.
As part of the process, a mixture of grass and heather seed would be distributed on areas of greatest damage.
A hearing into the blaze in March 2019 was told the fire could have been stopped in a few days if fire breaks had been cut into the mountain.
NRW said in the report it was hoping to get some preparatory work done this spring.
- Published3 August 2018
- Published20 March 2019