THE Fire Service did a tremendous job containing the Monday night Blackdown fire to a relatively small area of the common, but I must correct the suggestion made by fire chief Tim Smith that the blaze was started by farmers? swaling activity (Times, March 23). Swaling is an important management operation and, on Mary Tavy Common, it is integrated into a Defra-funded ten year management plan, which requires a proportion of the common to be burnt each year. In February, three areas designated for 2006 were burnt by a team of six graziers, backed up by a water tank and pressure spray. On each occasion the Fire Service, Police and the National Park Authority were all notified more than 24 hours before swaling , which was carried out during daylight hours . In addition, Defra funds have also allowed the commoners? association to cut 27 kilometres of firebreaks to assist in the control of burns. George Swayne Secretary Mary Tavy Commoners? Association Lower Creason Mary Tavy
