South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has escalated its response to wildfires raging across the region, requesting military support to provide additional logistical and defensive tactical assistance. The request for Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) follows days of hot weather and significant operational demand, during which firefighters, control staff and support teams have been working around the clock to protect communities, homes, businesses, infrastructure and the environment.
Wildfires Across the Region
The service is currently tackling seven wildfires, located in Tredegar, Van Road, Garth, Blaenavon, Porth, Merthyr Tydfil, Penrhys and Bike Park Wales near Merthyr. People across Wales have been evacuated from their homes as the fires creep closer to residential areas. A strong smell of smoke has been reported in neighbouring areas, including Newport and Cardiff, as wind carries it for miles.
A fire in Ebbw Vale has burned through 400 hectares of land. Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Thursday evening in the hills of Rhandirmwyn village, Llandovery. That fire has been burning since Wednesday at 12.45pm and shows no sign of slowing down.
Escalation and Military Support
Homes have been evacuated in Torfaen, Porth, Merthyr Tydfil and Llandovery, and the situation has become so complex that SWFRS has requested military support. A SWFRS spokesperson said: "South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has submitted a request for Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) to provide additional logistical and defensive tactical support as wildfire activity continues across parts of South Wales, in line with approved escalation protocols."
The spokesperson added that the request follows an extended period of hot weather and significant operational demand, and that the service has redeployed resources and activated mutual support arrangements with other fire and rescue services. "The MACA request forms part of those long-established plans for managing prolonged and complex incidents and was submitted when we met the correct point in the protocol," they said.
Impact on Crews and Public Advice
ACFO Matt Jones said: "Our priority remains protecting communities while ensuring we can sustain our response to protect people in our communities for as long as conditions require. We have followed embedded escalation processes and have already activated mutual aid arrangements with National Resilience and other fire and rescue services across the UK, and are using a wide range of resources to support our response. Requesting military assistance is a sensible and precautionary next step that provides additional support capacity, strengthens resilience and helps us continue to protect the communities we serve."
Gareth Tovey, Fire Brigades Union executive council member for Wales, said crews have been working 11-hour shifts without breaks or access to toilets. "They're having to eat a meal deal that someone has got up to them covered in soot," he added. Those living near affected areas are advised to keep all windows and doors closed due to the smoke. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service continues to work with local authorities, police, health partners, Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Government through multi-agency arrangements.
