Major Wildfire in Blaenavon Affects Residents Across South Wales
Emergency services are currently managing a significant wildfire in the Blaenavon area of South Wales, with reports of smoke permeating neighbourhoods as far as Newport and Cardiff. The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) issued a directive for residents to keep windows and doors closed to mitigate the impact of the smoke.
The blaze, which started on Sunday evening, has prompted a large volume of emergency calls. Smoke from the wildfire is visible up to 10 miles away, and SWFRS has been active at the site since the initial call was made at approximately 8:42 PM on July 19.
A SWFRS spokesperson confirmed that as of this morning, six fire engines and a water bowser were deployed to combat the fire, alongside tactical wildfire officers trained specifically for such incidents. The fire spans around 80 hectares of mixed terrain, predominantly consisting of bracken and gorse, making the firefighting efforts particularly challenging due to the difficult access and winds in the area.
The fire service observed a change in wind direction overnight, which has exacerbated the smoke’s reach, impacting communities as far south as Caerphilly and Cardiff. The public has been advised not to panic if they smell or see the smoke, as SWFRS is aware of the situation and actively responding to the incident.
Residents across South Wales, including areas such as Caerphilly, Newport, and Cardiff, have reported strong smoke odours stemming from the wildfire. SWFRS has requested that the public refrain from calling to report the smoke unless they witness a separate fire incident.
In addition to the wildfire in Blaenavon, fire crews are attending to a separate grass fire in Treherbert. The situation in Blaenavon remains ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
