Firefighters have been battling significant wildfires in Blaenavon and Harlech for much of this week
A specialist firefighting helicopter will finally be deployed to help crews fighting one of a number of significant wildfires in Wales this week. It comes after days of calls from local residents, farmers and politicians in areas being scorched by blazes but only hours before rain is set to hit the country, after weeks of dry weather.
Fire crews have been battling a number of blazes across Wales across areas the size of hundreds of football pitches. Some of the worst fires include one in Blaenavon, which created smoke that people could smell up to 30 miles away, as well as one at the Rhinogydd mountains near Harlech in north Wales which first broke out 11 days ago. North Wales Fire & Rescue Service confirmed tonight (Thursday)) that firefighters are battling a grass fire on Bangor Mountain in Gwynedd.
On Wednesday, the Welsh Government said it had activated “crisis management arrangements” in response to the large number of significant wildfires. It added that it had been told by the Ministry of Defence that there are no helicopters available to help crews on the ground tackle the blazes, something which has drawn criticism from residents and farmers in areas affected by wildfires.
However, on Thursday, Natural Resources Wales confirmed a specialist firefighting helicopter would be deployed to Rhinogydd on Friday morning to support the ongoing response to the wildfire.
According to the latest forecast, rain is due to fall in Wales for the first time in weeks on Saturday, which experts hope will help with the wildfires.
The forecast shows rain arriving in north Wales by early Saturday afternoon, before it move southwards towards mid-Wales by late afternoon.
While Saturday will be mostly dry for the remainder, heavy rain will return in the small hours of Sunday. By mid-morning, both Swansea and Cardiff will have seen downpours. Rain only worsens in the early afternoon of Sunday, as most of Wales will be under rainclouds. Scattered showers will remain for the rest of the weekend.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) welcomed the development: “This follows sustained efforts to secure aerial support during a period of exceptional demand from wildfire incidents elsewhere in the UK.
“The helicopter will make a vital contribution to the response, working alongside the dedicated efforts of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews and our own teams, who have been supporting the incident response on the ground throughout.
“For more than a week, our staff, contractors and partners have been working around the clock to respond to this incident, and we will continue to support North Wales Fire and Rescue Service colleagues in the days ahead.
“While the helicopter is being deployed to support the response in the Rhinogydd, its availability will continue to be assessed in line with operational needs across Wales and the wider UK.
“Should other fire and rescue services require aerial support for incidents in their area, we will remain in close contact to understand those needs and consider how best to assist alongside partner agencies. We would like to thank everyone involved in the response, including Fire and Rescue Service colleagues, landowners, contractors and local communities.”
Welsh Government cabinet member Siân Gwenllian confirmed that multi-agency responses to both the Blaenavon and Harlech are ongoing, with agencies working to achieve additional support across fire services.
Ms Gwenllian, the local government minister, said: “The fires at Rhinogydd and Blaenavon are currently the two most significant wildfire incidents in Wales. Both remain active and are being managed reflecting the efforts of those involved. Other wildfires have been successfully brought under control and are now being monitored and dampened down – demonstrating both the hard work, expertise and professionalism of our fire service.
“The Rhinogydd fire has developed gradually, and we have been informed by the emergency services that significant progress has been made in tackling the fire following the expansion of the affected area. I have received confirmation that additional appliances have been deployed, firebreaks have been created and key forestry assets have been protected. Work continues at the site, and I will receive a further briefing in the coming days from those involved in the operation.
“The fire at Blaenavon is currently the priority for ground operations. Fire and rescue services and Natural Resources Wales are on site, undertaking difficult containment work in challenging conditions. The incident has produced a significant amount of smoke, which I know will be of concern to members representing the area and to local residents. However, officials have advised that there is currently no threat to life or property. The fire is expected to continue burning for several days, and firefighters remain at the scene to prevent it spreading further and putting lives, wildlife and property at risk.”
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