Nearly three-quarters of the fire stations across north Wales have been closed for the duration of the firefighters' union strike which began on Wednesday night.

Thirteen of the 44 fire stations in the region are still operating as normal, because the retained firefighters who run them have not joined the Fire Brigade Union's 48-hour walk-out.

If we are sent away from our own patch, no-one is protecting our own friends and family

Andy Scarratt

But there is still a major shortfall in facilities, with seven Green Goddesses covering the region which usually has 73 fire appliances.

All of the eight stations which offer 24-hour cover within the region have shut.

Andy Scarratt, the chair of the North Wales Retained Firefighters Union, said 13 of the 36 retained stations would definitely be operating as normal.

Before the strike began, Mr Scarratt said the strike could still affect their work.

"We run our own patches, but the strike could have an impact on which calls we are sent out to," he said.

"We might not be sent out to a small fire in case we are unavailable for something bigger."

Closed 24-hour fire stations

Deeside Wrexham Rhyl Colwyn Bay Llandudno Bangor Holyhead Caernarfon

But he said they could not be expected to cover all of the north Wales region.

"If we are sent away from our own patch, no-one is protecting our own friends and family," he said.

North Wales Fire Service employs 288 full-time firefighters and 578 retained firefighters.

During the strikes, a control room is based at North Wales Police headquarters in Colwyn Bay.

The Green Goddesses are being deployed by the Army, but are being manned by Airforce personnel.

Fire warning

Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer Simon Smith urged people to be vigilant during the industrial action.

He stressed members of the public should dial 999 in the usual manner if they have a fire during the strikes.

Retained fire stations in operation

Aberdovey Abersoch Bala Buckley Chirk Corwen Flint Harlech Holywell Llanfairfechan Mold Nefyn Pwllheli

North Wales Fire service looks after more than 655,000 people.

In 2001, it dealt with 4,990 fires, 294 road traffic accidents and 2,539 other emergency special service calls.

Despite the strikes, the turning on of the Christmas lights in Wrexham will go ahead on Thursday night.

The council has said all reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure public safety.

For information on fire safety in your home please call The Community Fire Safety Team on 01745 343 431.