Welsh government activates 'crisis management arrangements' over wildfires

The Welsh government has activated "crisis management arrangements" due to the number of wildfires across the nation.

It comes amid criticism from residents over a lack of resources like helicopters to tackle the fires, some of which have been burning for days across north and south Wales.

The Welsh government said North Wales Fire and Rescue had received extra resources but aerial support was not available anywhere in the UK.

However, it said "urgent discussions are now underway both within Wales and at a UK level to identify how this can be resolved".

Meanwhile, firefighters are tackling a big blaze in south Wales for a third day, with the smoke travelling as far as Cardiff.

A 4,000-name petition calling for aerial help was prompted by one fire spreading into Coed y Brenin in Gwynedd.

Sian Williams, operations manager for Natural Resources Wales, described the wildfire situation across Wales as "exceptional".

"Unfortunately, despite us putting a request in, at the request of the fire and rescue service... for aerial support, we have not been able to secure that yet," she said.

Williams said NRW Wales had contracts with three operators for helicopter support, but they are already deployed at fires in England and Scotland.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were continuing to deal with a wildfire at Capelulo near Sychnant Pass, in the wake of a large grass fire on Conwy Mountain.

There is also a multi-agency response following a blaze on Rhinogydd mountains in Gwynedd, where householders have been advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Elsewhere, firefighters are dealing with grass fires at Hope Mountain and Brymbo in Wrexham county, Pentrefelin, Holyhead, and Pentre Halkyn, overlooking the A55 in Flintshire.

Welsh government minister Sian Gwenllian said the Blaenavon fire was "expected to continue burning for several days", with firefighters remaining at the scene to stop it from spreading further and "putting lives, wildlife and property at risk".

Paying tribute to the hard work of crews, she said extra resources had been requested and agreed to help firefighters in north Wales with extra staff and fire appliances.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it had received numerous offers of help from the public but, while "deeply grateful", it asked people to avoid affected areas and to stay safe.

"Please be reassured the welfare of our crews is a top priority and they have everything they need," it said.

Natural Resources Wales said farmers and representatives from the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park were also working under the direction of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service to support the "ongoing response from a safe distance" with 1,000l water storage containers made available.