Major fires have scorched thousands of acres, threatened protected habitats and exposed concerns over Wales’ ability to secure aerial firefighting support

WILDFIRES across Wales have prompted calls for the Senedd to be recalled as firefighters continue tackling some of the country’s most serious incidents in years.

Crews have faced simultaneous fires across north and south Wales, with the largest incidents centred on the Rhinogydd mountains near Harlech and the hills above Blaenavon.

The emergency has unfolded after successive heatwaves and exceptionally low rainfall left mountains, moorland and grassland tinder dry.

Natural Resources Wales has now declared drought conditions across North Wales and the Upper Severn, while every other part of Wales is classed as experiencing prolonged dry weather. July is on course to become the driest month recorded in Wales for almost 190 years unless substantial rainfall arrives before the end of the month.

Major fire enters second week

Firefighters were still working on Monday, July 27, to extinguish the wildfire above Blaenavon, more than a week after the first emergency call was received.

The fire has affected an estimated 220 hectares, around 543 acres, of mountainside covered by bracken, gorse and other vegetation.

Crews have been working around the clock in difficult terrain, supported by specialist wildfire officers, drones, four-wheel-drive vehicles, water bowsers and heavy machinery.

Tactical burning has been used to remove vegetation ahead of the advancing fire, while farmers have helped create firebreaks intended to prevent the flames spreading further.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has established an operational base near Blaenavon, with local residents and businesses delivering meals, drinks and other supplies to firefighters working long shifts on the mountain.

Smoke from the blaze has travelled considerable distances, affecting communities around Nant-y-Glo and Brynmawr and reportedly being detected as far away as Cardiff.

Residents affected by smoke have repeatedly been advised to remain indoors where possible and keep their windows and doors closed.

Protected landscape burned near Harlech

In North Wales, firefighters have spent more than two weeks responding to a fire across the Rhinogydd mountains, close to Llyn Cwm Bychan, Harlech and Trawsfynydd.

The fire was first reported on July 12 and spread across remote terrain containing nationally and internationally protected habitats.

Parts of the affected landscape are designated as a Special Area of Conservation, Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve.

An estimate reported by BBC Wales suggested that the fire had affected approximately 951 hectares, equivalent to around 2,350 acres.

Firefighters and Natural Resources Wales staff created and strengthened firebreaks while monitoring the threat to woodland, wildlife habitats and nearby communities.

Roads and footpaths were closed to protect the public and maintain access for emergency vehicles. Smoke also reduced visibility around parts of the A470 near Bronaber and Coed y Brenin.

By Friday, July 24, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said there was no longer a continuous fire front. However, numerous hotspots remained and crews expected monitoring and firefighting work to continue over the weekend and beyond.

Helicopter arrived after days of delay

The Rhinogydd fire became the focus of a national debate about the availability of aerial firefighting equipment.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service requested helicopter assistance because crews were struggling to reach parts of the fire across steep and isolated terrain.

Natural Resources Wales approved the request and agreed to meet the associated costs because of the potential damage to protected habitats.

However, an approved helicopter was initially unavailable because aircraft were already in demand at other wildfire incidents across the UK.

The Welsh Government said there was no suitable military aerial firefighting capability based in the UK and that the armed forces could not provide a water-bombing aircraft.

A specialist civilian helicopter was eventually secured and began supporting the Rhinogydd operation on Friday, July 24.

The aircraft helped firefighters reach difficult areas and attack hotspots from the air, alongside the continuing ground operation. It was also scheduled to return the following day.

The Welsh Government has now promised to review the capabilities available to deal with wildfires, including the possible future role and cost of aerial support.

Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Siân Gwenllian said fire and rescue services remained responsible for operational firefighting decisions.

She said Natural Resources Wales’ existing aerial arrangements related principally to protecting the Welsh Government Woodland Estate rather than providing a general national wildfire service.

She added that there were differing views among emergency services and other agencies about the role helicopters should play but accepted that the issue needed to be examined.

Labour calls for Senedd recall

Welsh Labour has called for the Senedd to meet during its summer recess so Members can question ministers about the response.

Jayne Bryant MS, Welsh Labour’s spokesperson for communities, said: “I am deeply concerned about the wildfires across Wales.

“There is an urgent need for the Senedd to meet in order for the government to provide an update about the response and give Members the opportunity to represent their constituents’ views.

“The lack of aerial support is of great concern.”

Ms Bryant thanked firefighters and emergency workers who had been operating in difficult and dangerous conditions.

She said: “My thoughts remain with everyone affected by the fires and I would like to thank the fire and rescue teams across Wales, who have been working tirelessly in very difficult circumstances.”

The Welsh Government has said multi-agency tactical co-ordination groups were established for both the Rhinogydd and Blaenavon fires.

Those groups included the fire and rescue services, Natural Resources Wales, military representatives and Welsh Government officials.

Ministers said the groups allowed resources and information to be co-ordinated quickly and reported that, as of July 23, neither major fire posed an immediate threat to life or property.

Fires reported across North Wales

The fires at Rhinogydd and Blaenavon have been the largest incidents, but they formed part of a much wider pattern.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with fires or remaining hotspots at Pentrefelin near Holyhead, Hope Mountain, Pentre Halkyn, Mount Pleasant in Brymbo and the mountain above Capelulo near Sychnant Pass.

Other incidents were reported at Braichmelyn Forest near Bethesda, Bagillt, Brynford and Conwy Mountain.

A major incident was declared during the earlier fire at Sychnant Pass, where 36 properties were evacuated as flames and smoke approached nearby communities.

Residents were later allowed to return after firefighters brought the immediate danger under control.

The scale and number of the incidents placed significant pressure on fire control rooms, specialist wildfire crews and equipment.

Mutual aid was requested to bring staff and fire appliances into North Wales from other services.

Entire country affected by exceptional dryness

The wildfire emergency has coincided with rapidly deteriorating environmental conditions.

Natural Resources Wales declared drought status across North Gwynedd, Ynys Môn, South Gwynedd, the Welsh Dee, Clwyd and the Upper Severn on July 23.

North Wales and the Upper Severn had received less than two per cent of their expected rainfall for July at the time of the declaration.

Some rivers recorded new monthly minimum flows, while groundwater levels continued to decline and river temperatures increased.

All remaining catchments in south-west Wales, including Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, were moved into prolonged dry weather status.

South-east Wales had already been placed in that category, meaning the whole of Wales is now experiencing drought or prolonged dry conditions.

Reservoir supplies were reported to remain generally healthy, but NRW asked households and businesses to use water carefully to reduce pressure on rivers, habitats and wildlife.

Risk remains despite some rainfall

Rain and cooler conditions brought some temporary relief over the weekend, but the Met Office has warned that the wildfire danger remains elevated across much of Wales and England.

Dry ground, low humidity, warm temperatures and stronger winds can allow a small fire to spread quickly and become difficult to control.

The Fire Severity Index measures how serious a fire could become if one starts rather than predicting whether an ignition will take place.

The Met Office said conditions were expected to become increasingly warm again during the week beginning Monday, July 27, while wildfire conditions would remain elevated despite rainfall in some areas.

Questions over management of the uplands

The fires have also revived debate about how mountains and moorland should be managed.

The National Sheep Association said properly managed grazing by sheep and cattle could help control the amount of bracken, gorse and long grass available to fuel wildfires.

Chief executive Phil Stocker said declining livestock numbers and reduced grazing in some upland areas had allowed large fuel loads to develop.

He called for farmers to be supported through agricultural and environmental funding to manage vegetation, protect peatland and reduce fire risks.

Any future policy would need to balance grazing, habitat protection, carbon storage, biodiversity and wildfire prevention across some of Wales’ most environmentally sensitive landscapes.

Public warned against barbecues and campfires

Fire and environmental authorities have stressed that many wildfires can be prevented.

People are being told not to light campfires or carry out controlled burning during periods of extreme dryness.

Disposable barbecues should not be used in the countryside, on mountains or in other open spaces. Cigarettes should be extinguished completely and never thrown from vehicles or dropped on the ground.

Visitors are also being asked to take bottles, cans and broken glass home and to use authorised campsites rather than setting up unauthorised camps where fires may be lit.

Public Health Wales said wildfire smoke could irritate the eyes, nose and throat and cause coughing, wheezing, breathlessness or chest discomfort.

People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart conditions, along with older people, young children and pregnant women, may be particularly vulnerable.

Anyone affected should stay indoors, close windows and doors, turn off systems drawing outside air into the building and keep prescribed medication nearby.

People should call 999 immediately if they discover a wildfire or believe that lives or property are in danger.

A warning for the future

Although firefighters have made progress at several sites, the crisis has raised questions that will remain after the final hotspots have been extinguished.

Ministers now face pressure to establish whether Wales needs guaranteed access to specialist helicopters, additional wildfire vehicles, more trained personnel and a long-term national wildfire strategy.

There will also be questions about land management, emergency funding and how communities are protected as hotter and drier summers become more common.

For now, firefighters remain on the mountains, supported by farmers, volunteers, emergency services and communities who have supplied food, water and practical assistance.

Their work has prevented a serious environmental emergency from becoming a tragedy involving the loss of homes or lives.

But with the landscape still exceptionally dry and further warm weather forecast, the danger has not passed.

A seven-year-old boy from Ontario will be among young people travelling to Stackpole for a specialist course designed to help those living with rare muscle conditions exercise safely and confidently

AN INTERNATIONAL group of young people affected by rare glycogen storage diseases will gather in Pembrokeshire next month for a week of specialist outdoor activities and support.

The McArdle’s Experience will take place at the National Trust’s Stackpole Outdoor Learning Centre from Saturday, August 1, until Friday, August 7.

Organised by the charity AGSD-UK, the residential course teaches participants how to manage exercise intolerance, recognise their body’s warning signs and build fitness safely through structured aerobic activity.

The event is now in its sixteenth year and rotates between locations in Wales’ three national parks.

Among those travelling to Pembrokeshire is seven-year-old Everett Vistoli and his family from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Everett has glycogen storage disease type 9d, known as GSD9d, an extremely rare condition related to McArdle’s disease. Both conditions affect the way muscles access energy stored as glycogen.

Everett’s mother, Kendra, said the family first realised something was wrong when he was an infant.

She said: “He had difficulty learning to walk, a delayed and waddling gait, frequent falls and sometimes used his hands to climb up his legs to stand.

“We took him to a paediatrician because we were concerned about the possibility of muscular dystrophy.”

Everett was referred to a neuromuscular specialist and underwent electromyography, genetic testing and a muscle biopsy.

The biopsy showed an accumulation of glycogen and Everett was diagnosed with GSD9d shortly before his fourth birthday.

Kendra said the condition has a significant effect on everyday family life, with activities requiring additional time, planning and patience.

She said: “Everett also struggles with ADHD and tends to want to go, go, go, but then ends up in a boom-and-bust cycle of crashing, being in pain and struggling with physical activity.

“We always have to be mindful of how his body is feeling and what he is capable of each day.

“We avoid activities where we might become stuck if he cannot continue, unless we have a plan to support him if he runs out of energy or is in too much pain.”

Andrew Wakelin, AGSD-UK’s McArdle’s coordinator, devised the walking courses after being diagnosed with the disease himself.

He said Everett would be the first person with GSD9d to attend the course.

“We think there may be only about 50 people worldwide diagnosed with GSD9d, so this is a very special occasion,” he said.

“We host a course for young people and another for adults, each with its own programme of learning and walks.

“Teaching young people to recognise their body’s warning signs and exercise at their own pace is vital in preventing muscle damage and maintaining an active lifestyle.

“We aim to share techniques that make the day-to-day management of McArdle’s easier.

“The walks allow people to put that learning into practice, build confidence and improve their aerobic capacity. The aim is to make walking safe and enjoyable in a friendly and understanding group.”

People with McArdle’s disease can experience severe fatigue, pain and cramping during the first few minutes of exercise because their muscles cannot properly break down stored glycogen.

Continuing through severe pain can cause muscle breakdown and, in serious cases, kidney damage.

However, many people with the condition experience a phenomenon known as the “second wind”. By slowing down or resting when symptoms begin, they may be able to continue more comfortably once the body starts using glucose and fats from the bloodstream for energy.

There is currently no cure, but symptoms can often be managed through education, appropriate nutrition and regular, carefully graded aerobic exercise.

Kendra said the opportunity for Everett to meet others with similar experiences would be invaluable.

She said: “Connecting with and learning from people who have the wisdom and experience to share what helps them most is truly a gift.

“Everett loves the outdoors and hiking. I think he is excited about the challenge of hiking a mountain.

“I am not sure how much understanding he has about his condition and how to manage it, so I am very much looking forward to him learning from people with lived experience who truly understand.”

Val Buxton, chief executive of AGSD-UK, said living with a rare and poorly understood condition could be extremely challenging.

She said: “Events such as the McArdle’s walking courses are a valuable opportunity for those affected to meet people who can relate to their experiences.

“Members of our community have described the connections they have made and the insights gained at these events as life-changing.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who supports AGSD-UK’s vital work.”

Cover image: Everett Vistoli with his family, who will join participants travelling to Pembrokeshire from around the world.

NEW recruits and familiar faces came together when Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir performed in the evening sunshine at the Cresselly Arms, Cresswell Quay.

A large crowd gathered to enjoy the concert, which included the first public performance by new baritone Peter Lane. Several other recent recruits also gained valuable experience of singing before an audience.

A particularly special moment came during the encore, Elvis Presley’s American Trilogy, when 91-year-old Charlie Hare returned to the first tenor ranks.

Charlie sang with the choir for almost 40 years before retiring and was delighted to meet up with many old friends and fellow choristers.

Musical director Juliet Rossiter selected a varied programme, which also featured another appearance by “The Cheeky Boys”, a group made up of singers from each of the choir’s four sections.

Deputy musical director Ian Williams conducted the Welsh favourite Rachie, while returning accompanist William Lambert and master of ceremonies Matthew John also received a warm welcome.

The concert raised more than £220 towards the choir’s campaign to purchase a portable defibrillator which can be taken to performances and other events.

The total was further boosted by a generous donation from Steve, landlord of the Cresselly Arms.

The choir’s next appearance will be at Pembroke Farmers’ Club Show in Lamphey on Wednesday, August 5.