Live updates as fire crews deal with major Valleys wildfires (original) (raw)
Fire crews have been working to deal with several wildfires in south Wales. One major blaze has engulfed seven hectares of land in Glyncastle Forestry, Rhigos. A second fire was close to homes at Pantside near Newbridge and a third is on mountainside near Blaengarw.
A fourth wildfire has now started on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate at Blaenavon. Natural Resources Wales said it is providing a 4x4 water bowser to transfer water to the site for use by the fire service.
On Saturday morning, the fire service confirmed that the fire in forestry on Rhigos mountain had spread overnight. Parts of the Skyline Mountain Bike Trail in the area have been closed as a precaution.
A statement from NRW said: "Our officers continue to support South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service tackling the wildfire at Glyncastle Forestry, Rhigos Mountain.
"Overnight the fire spread and Skyline; Short and Sweet, Riding High and On The Edge MTB trails have been closed. The Bow section remains open with diversions in place."
A separate fire was close to homes at Pantside in Newbridge. No-one had to be evacuated and the blaze appears to be under control. but there is still a strong smell of smoke in the area. A helicopter was photographed dousing the flames this morning.
Crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue are urging people to stay away from the area. They said: "We are advising people to avoid the area around Pantside, Newbridge due to the ongoing wildfire incident we are currently dealing with, due to risks from unsafe trees and hot embers. "
On Saturday morning, South Wales Fire and Rescue confirmed they are also dealing with a fire at Darren Fawr, a mountainous area of Blaengarw.
08:49Cathy Owen
Major effort to tackle the blazes
It has been a busy weekend for fire crews across south Wales and they have been helped by teams from Natural Resources Wales.
A helicopter has been brought in to help at Glyncastle Forestry, Rhigos Mountain, Plant machinery has been used to create firebreaks.
21:53Angharad Thomas
Crews worked hard to tackle Rhigos fire
This is an update from a firefighter who has been working to tackle the fire in forestry on Rhigos Mountain.
He describes a challenging fire front in difficult terrain, laying a long hose from a stream to protect areas of trees.
Crews from across @SWFireandRescue have worked really hard to fight wildfires across the service today supported by @NatResWales officers. Rhigos fire- 600m hose lay in challenging terrain to protect plantation fed from an Lpp in a stream pic.twitter.com/doVBvLYqCo
— Craig Hope (@wildfire_craig) June 10, 2023
20:45David James
Blaengarw fire photos
These images of the fire in forestry above Blaengarw in the Bridgend valleys were taken this afternoon by photographer Mark Lewis.
The fire is well away from homes but very visible from the village of Blaengarw at the top of the valley.
(Image: Mark Lewis)
(Image: Mark Lewis)
(Image: Mark Lewis)
20:42David James
Rhigos Mountain still well alight
This picture taken this evening shows that the forestry on Rhigos Mountain is still well alight.
Rhigos Mountain Fire (Image: Dave Jones)
20:35Angharad Thomas
Wildfire in Blaenavon
Natural Resources Wales confirms another wild fire this evening on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate at Blaenavon.
They state that they are providing a 4x4 water bowser to transfer water to the site for use by SWFRS.
17:24Angharad Thomas
Machinery has been deployed to create firebreaks
The wild fire at Glyncastle Forestry, Rhigos Mountain, continues to burn and MTB trails remain closed.
NRW officers remain at the scene to support SWFRS.
They confirm that a helicopter has been used to tackle blaze and plant machinery has been deployed to create firebreaks.
17:15Cathy Owen
Unsafe trees and hot embers warning
Crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue are urging people to away from Pantside, Newbridge.
A statement just released says: "We are advising people to avoid the area around Pantside, Newbridge due to the ongoing wildfire incident we are currently dealing with, due to risks from unsafe trees and hot embers. "
14:14Cathy Owen
Advice if you are outdoors
There is advice from the fire services in Wales:
- If outdoors – there is a high risk of accidental fires from barbecues, lit cigarettes, glass bottles and the like, so please discard these materials responsibly.
- Do not burn any waste, for example refuse or garden waste – please use local authority waste collection, recycling and composting services instead.
13:04Cathy Owen
Helicopters brought in to help douse flames
Fire crews have had help from Natural Resources Wales offiers and helicopters have also been brought in to douse water in areas hit by wild fires.
This was at Pantside, near Newbridge, where the fire got close to some homes last night.
12:41Cathy Owen
People urged to take care as fires burn
We have been sent some pictures of the fire at Pantside near Newbridge.
During periods of hot weather across South Wales, the fire service is urging members of the public to act responsibly.
They say: "Extreme temperatures present an array of challenges for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and our communities are advised to think twice before doing anything which involves a naked flame or open water.
"Dry, warm weather conditions mean a high risk of accidental fires and wildfires."
12:24Cathy Owen
Fire breaks to try and stop fires
Natural Resources Wales teams are helping fire crews fight they fires.
A statement said: "Our staff are supporting SWFRS at two wildfires currently burning in South Wales at Garw Forest, near Bridgend and on the hillside at Pantside / Hafodyrynys near Newbridge.
"Plant machinery has been deployed to create firebreaks at both sites."
11:38Cathy Owen
Crews now dealing with another fire
It is a busy times for fire crews across Wales.
South Wales FIre and Rescue has just confirmed they are dealing with a fire at Darren Fawr, a mountainous area of Blaengarw.
11:21Cathy Owen
It comes as temperatures rise
The wildfires comes as temperatures rise in Wales. A high of 30C was recorded in Porthmadog on Friday.
The area of high pressure which has been responsible for the last couple of weeks of settled weather for much of the UK will drift away towards Scandinavia, allowing a plume of warmer, humid air from the south to influence the weekend weather for much of the UK.
There has been very little rain across Wales for nearly a month so the ground is also extremely dry.
11:01Cathy Owen
Rhigos fire has spread
Natural Rescources Wales officers have been back at the Rhigos fire and it has spread.
A statement issued just before 11am said: "Our officers continue to support SWFRS and MWFRS tackling the wildfire at Glyncastle Forestry, Rhigos Mountain.
"Overnight the fire spread and Skyline; Short and Sweet, Riding High and On The Edge MTB trails have been closed. The Bow section remains open with diversions in place."
09:10Cathy Owen
Heavy smoke still coming from the area
Smoke can be seen billowing from the area this morning from the fire on the Rhigos.
These were taken around 6am.
(Image: UGC)
(Image: UGC)
08:32Cathy Owen
Support for fire crews
Natural Resources Wales officers were at the scene of the fire in a forestry area of the Rhigos to assist fire crews last night.
08:25Cathy Owen
Fire was close to homes
Plaid councillor Rhys Mills said he spoken to local residents in Pantside, Newbridge, on Friday night.
He said: "The fire was close to some of the housing but everyone is OK. The fire started on Friday. I've had a look this morning. I can't see flames but can still see and smell smoke."
(Image: UGC)