Military sent in to help emergency services fight wildfires

The military has been deployed to help tackle wildfires across Wales.

Personnel and an Army helicopter are supporting firefighters in Cwmavon, Torfaen council has said.

People have been warned not to fly drones in the area because they will interfere with the military helicopter, and a fire service drone.

Meanwhile, police investigating a "deliberate fire" on the mountain near Pleasant Heights, Porth, said on Friday they had arrested four 14-year-old boys from Porth on suspicion of arson. They are on police bail.

The UK government issued an emergency alert to phones across England and Wales on Friday evening saying there was "a very high risk of wildfires nationally".

On Friday, Stephen Kinnock, Secretary of State for Wales, said military personnel had been deployed for logistical support and to help "ease the pressure on the ground".

Despite cooler temperatures on Saturday, crews across Wales are continuing to battle fires.

Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MWWFRS) said crews had spent more than 90 hours on "operational incidents" in Llanwrtyd Wells, Merthyr Tydfil and Ebbw Vale.

"It has been tough, however, we have been overwhelmed by the support we have received during this time," the service said, thanking local businesses "that have kept us fuelled with food and drinks".

Residents had been evacuated from their homes after a fire near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, with a councillor describing the situation as "scary", as the fire made its way towards the village.

On Saturday, MWWFRS said firefighters remained at the scene and were continuing to "make progress in responding" to the fire, describing it as a "challenging and dynamic incident".

A fire was also seen above Cwm, Ebbw Vale on Friday evening.

Sallie Jones, a spokesperson for Cwm Task Force, said the community has been working together.

"If it was a different wind direction, it could have been total devastation," she said.

"The whole village was fearful, with people calling up last night asking us if they were safe to sleep there.

"That's what we're here for, reassurance and being there as a community."

Crews also attended incidents elsewhere in Wales, including in Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where a BBC reporter on the scene said residents were "frightened".

Mark Carmody said the flames came within 30 metres of his house, with firefighters "dousing the back of the building and "damping down the bracken behind the house".

An emergency alert issued on Friday evening urged people not to start fires, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.

"Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk," the alert said.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged people to take the alert "seriously", saying everyone should take "extra care" and not "light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas".