Wales is at very high risk of wildfires in the coming days as a heatwave continues to bake the UK, with temperatures expected to remain near 30°C. Fire services have dealt with more than a dozen large fires across the country.
Firefighters Battle Blaze in North Wales
Firefighters in north Wales spent more than two days battling a 200-acre fire at Sychnant Pass, near Conwy Mountain. The blaze led to the evacuation of dozens of homes and left the mountainside charred and smouldering.
On Monday evening, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service stood down its major incident and allowed residents of 36 evacuated properties in Capelulo to return home.
South Wales Grass Fire
In south Wales, residents were told to keep doors and windows closed due to a grass fire on Cilfynydd mountain, near Pontypridd, on Monday evening.
Severe Wildfire Risk Warning
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said the latest assessments show a "severe wildfire risk" with some locations having "extreme risk". NFCC chairman Phil Garrigan said: "Fire and rescue services are currently responding to multiple significant wildfires across the UK with challenging conditions helping fires to spread quickly and over large areas. When vegetation is this dry it only takes one spark to start a fire."
He urged the public to avoid using disposable barbecues in parks, moorland, and countryside areas, never discard cigarettes on the ground, and take litter home.
Ongoing Incidents
On Tuesday, the fire service remained in attendance at the Conwy mountain fire as well as fires at Braichmelyn Forestry, Bethesda, and Rhinogydd mountain range, near Harlech.
Jody McEachern, head of prevention at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout yesterday and overnight responding to a number of significant wildfire incidents across North Wales. Significant work continues at Conwy Mountain and we will continue to monitor conditions closely throughout the day."
Weather Outlook
The warning comes as Wales is set for another week of hot temperatures, with highs close to 30°C. The Met Office says there is only a "small chance" of a "few" rain showers.
