Overview
- A specialist firefighting helicopter was deployed to the Rhinogydd on Friday to support crews fighting a wildfire that has burned for more than a week and remained active into its twelfth day.
- Ground teams from fire services and Natural Resources Wales are prioritising containment at Blaenavon and using beaters, dampening and firebreaks at Rhinogydd and Bangor Mountain to limit spread.
- Officials say there is currently no immediate threat to life or property but expect the fires to continue for several days and warn the public to avoid incident sites because visiting or filming can hinder operations.
- The Welsh Government activated crisis management arrangements midweek after several large blazes emerged and the MoD initially reported no helicopters were available before Natural Resources Wales secured the specialist aircraft.
- Record dry weather and a formal drought declaration have driven high demand for aerial assets nationwide, increasing pressure on resources and raising the chances that weekend rain will be a key factor in slowing the fires.