A large wildfire broke out on the side of Maerdy Mountain in the Rhondda Fach valley early on Friday, spreading rapidly towards the village of Maerdy.
Local resident Peter Cook first noticed the fire at around 6am on Friday. He said the fire had spread quickly and appeared to be moving down the mountain towards the village. “I was in the garden doing some gardening when I heard crackling. I thought: 'What's that?' Then I looked up and saw the fire,” he said.
Fire service response
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) remained at the scene at lunchtime on Friday. A spokesman said: “SWFRS are currently in attendance at a large-scale fire at Maerdy Mountain, Ferndale. Crews, appliances, and specialist equipment including an all-terrain vehicle from Tonypandy, Maesteg, Ferndale, Treorchy, Hirwaun, Abercynon, and Cardiff Central are currently at the scene.”
Residents in the area have been advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke. The spokesman added: “Please avoid the area to allow emergency services access and to support the ongoing response.”
Ongoing wildfires across Wales
The fire is releasing plumes of grey smoke visible from miles away. This blaze is one of several ongoing wildfires in Wales on Friday. Since Sunday, SWFRS has been tackling a huge wildfire in Blaenavon, while North Wales Fire and Rescue has been fighting wildfires at the Rhinogydd mountains near Harlech, which first ignited 11 days ago.
On Wednesday, the Welsh Government said it had activated “crisis management arrangements” in response to the large number of significant wildfires.
Health advice
Public Health Wales has issued advice for people living in areas affected by smoke, stating it can irritate eyes, nose, and throat and may cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. “Stay indoors and keep windows closed. If you are travelling keep your vehicle windows closed and switch air conditioning to recirculation mode. Keep inhalers and medication with you,” their advice states. “If you have symptoms and they do not improve when inside, away from smoke or ash, ask for advice from your GP or NHS 111.”
