A major incident has been declared as fire crews work to control several significant wildfires sweeping across south Wales. The blazes are producing smoke visible from miles away, affecting numerous communities.
Fires across the region
The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is tackling multiple fires in Blaenavon in Torfaen, Ferndale in the Rhondda Valley, Pengarnddu in Merthyr Tydfil, Llangynidr in Powys, and Rogerstone in Newport. A wildfire at Llangynidr Reservoir near Ebbw Vale is now considered under control, with crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service remaining at the scene.
Advice to residents
Residents across the affected areas have been advised to keep all windows and doors closed due to the smoke. Elsewhere, serious wildfires are also burning across England, including a large blaze in the New Forest which is now said to be under control after forcing 23 drivers to abandon their vehicles and shutting the A31 in Hampshire.
Fire risk warnings
More than 120 firefighters have been tackling the heathland blaze, with the fire service warning the operation could last for days. Fire chiefs, speaking ahead of the fifth heatwave of the summer, have warned of sustained fire risk in hot, dry conditions. July 2026 was the busiest on record for wildfires, with firefighters responding to 185 wildfires in the first 10 days of August.
Confirming the latest incident, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service wrote: "There is another wildfire in Blaenavon, our crews are in attendance and working hard to bring the incident to a safe close. Please avoid the incident ground and do not fly personal drones as this may affect our operational activity."
