A forecast today of cooler weather and showers was expected to dampen any lingering forest fires that have raged across many parts of the UK countryside, whipped up by high winds.
The worst of the blazes appeared to be over today, after a series of massive operations by firefighters, including using helicopters to waterbomb the flames.
Many fire brigades reported that fires threatening homes and wildlife had died down or been put out. No injuries were reported.
He added that some fires could burn for weeks and months if there was not a real downpour. After tomorrow's "significant quantity" of rain, more dry, sunny weather is forecast from Tuesday onwards - just as millions of people return to work after the Easter break.
At one stage South Wales Fire Service had 18 fires engines in operation in the Gwent area. Large-scale fires that broke out in Dorset and Cornwall had been extinguished today.
But moorland blazes were continuing to burn in rural areas in the west of Scotland, firefighters said today. A fire at Loudon Hill, near Darvel, Ayrshire, burned overnight and is thought to be covering an area of eight square miles.
Senior divisional officer Peter Kelman of Strathclyde Fire Brigade said fire crews at Loudon Hill had been joined by four helicopters which were waterbombing the area.
PA