At least 20 wildfires continued to burn across Wales as of Sunday, prompting the deployment of 200 military personnel to assist overstretched firefighters in combating the blazes. The fires, which have affected large areas of parched countryside, emerged in the context of an ongoing heatwave and an extended absence of rainfall, creating highly unusual and hazardous conditions.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported that its crews, supplemented by brigades from London, Cumbria, and the military, were actively engaged in tackling 14 separate wildfires. Meanwhile, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed efforts to contain an additional six fires in their region. Commanders described the situation as “exceptional,” with a significant increase in emergency calls—736 on Saturday alone, compared to the usual 300.
In response to the scale of the crisis, a temporary drone ban was imposed over South Wales to allow aerial firefighting efforts to proceed without disruption. Helicopters were deployed to douse flames on hillsides near communities such as Ynyswen and Treherbert in the Rhondda Valley, where images captured burning mountainsides close to residential areas on Saturday night.
The military support includes 200 soldiers from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment and the 22 Engineer Regiment. Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan praised their efforts in constructing fire breaks and digging trenches, which has enabled firefighters to focus on frontline suppression tasks. Soldiers have also been involved in logistical support, including distributing water to affected areas.
Despite warnings and emergency alerts issued by authorities, including a controversial public alert sent to millions of mobile phones on Friday, officials expressed frustration over continued instances of irresponsible behavior. Monahan highlighted an example where a person was found burning tyres under a tree amid the wildfire risk, underscoring concerns about public compliance.
Adam Openshaw, deputy chief fire officer for South Wales, acknowledged the anxiety felt by many residents and reaffirmed the service’s commitment to safeguarding communities. Local MP Sir Chris Bryant described the fire near Treherbert as “appalling” and commended the nationwide response, noting crews had come from across the UK to assist.
Fire Brigades Union executive council member Gareth Tovey characterized conditions facing firefighters as unprecedentedly severe, emphasizing the dryness of terrain and the grueling nature of their extended shifts often lasting 10 to 11 hours with limited breaks. Firefighters have also endured operational challenges such as eating meals covered in soot while working on difficult terrain.
On Friday, the police arrested four 14-year-old boys on suspicion of arson following a fire on a mountain in Porth; they have since been released on bail under investigation. Welsh Finance Minister Elin Jones expressed gratitude for the Army’s reinforcement during this demanding period.
The wildfires in Wales form part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting the United Kingdom, following a major incident declared by West Midlands Fire Service on Thursday after a wildfire destroyed 19 homes in Stourbridge amid record high temperatures, which reached 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London—the hottest recorded day of the year. Authorities have urged vigilance as dry conditions persist despite forecasts suggesting some relief in temperature may arrive in the coming days.