Weekend spent battling blazes
FIRE crews have spent the weekend takling a number of grass fires across south Wales.
According to South Wales Fire and Rescue, they had crews and appliances at the scene of call outs in Llanhilleth, Twmbarlum, Arrael/Cock & Chick, Machen and The Graig, and Cwmcarn Scenic Drive yesterday afternoon.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service tweeted to thank the public for reporting the blaze, which it had under control.
“Thank you to everyone who made calls to tell us of the fire on the Cock and Chick Mountain,” the tweet read. “Fire crews have now brought this incident under control but smoke will remain in the area for some time due to residual smoldering.”
The massive operation has lead to dramatic pictures showing the extent of the battle, with a helicopter drafted in to try and extinguish the flames on the hard-toreach hillsides.
Dramatic footage captured the helicopter over the Graig mountain.
A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue said three fire engines attended the scene after being called at 10.53am on Saturday.
Large plumes smoke could also be seen from Lido Ponty nearby in Ynysangharad Park.
Video from the scene shows water being dropped on a large area of mountainside near a group of homes in the valleys town.
With the heatwave continuing, communities rallied to do all they can to support the firefighters, taking food, refreshments and ice-cream to try and keep them cool.
Staff at Iceland in Upper Boat, Pontypridd, donated ice-creams to fire and rescue teams working hard to control the fire at the Graig Mountain.
Meanwhile station manager Steve Cooper thanked the public for their help in Blaenau Gwent.
He tweeted: “A huge thank you to Tesco Abertillery and the kind members of the public that have been dropping refreshments and food to us at Cwmtillery wildfire. Thank you!”
Fire chiefs have warned people not to take part in any controlled burning - including burning of waste, open camp fires and barbecues - during the ongoing warm weather as “fire can spread quickly”.
Bike trails in Cwmcarn Forest Drive were asked to close by emergency services.
A post on mountain bike uplift company Cwmdown said: “You may have seen already on social media, there is a fire currently burning on Twmbarlwm hillside.
“This is very close to the Twrch Trail and by the access/uplift road.
“The fire brigade and police have requested that all bike trails and access to this area is closed off until the fire is fully extinguished. This could be for several days due to this extreme dry weather.
“So, unfortunately tomorrow’s (July 15) uplift is now cancelled.”
Over the weekend there was also fires in William Belcher Drive in St Mellons in Cardiff, Fairbourne Point in Gwynedd and Wattstown in the Rhondda Valley.