Emergency crews tackle large forest wildfire
A LARGE wildfire has ripped into forestry, sending a large plume of smoke into the air as it burned for a second day yesterday.
Photographs have shown the scale of the blaze after South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received reports of a wildfire near Llanover Road in Blaenavon shortly after 11pm on Wednesday.
Crews attended the scene and managed the fire until the early hours of yesterday before withdrawing due to severe winds and poor ground conditions.
Following a reinspection at 7.30am yesterday, the crews returned to the scene alongside partner agencies.
The fire and rescue service confirmed the incident was still ongoing yesterday and that the blaze has been classed as a “category two” wildfire.
In a statement released yesterday, a spokesman for the service said: “At approximately 11.09pm on Wednesday, June 7, we received reports of a wildfire near Llanover Road in Blaenavon. Crews attended the scene and managed the fire until the early hours before withdrawing due to severe winds and poor ground conditions.
“A reinspection of the scene was requested for 7.30am on Thursday, June 8. Following the reinspection, crews returned to the scene alongside partner agencies.
“Firefighters are utilising specialist equipment including leaf-blowers, fire beaters and knapsack sprayers to manage the fire. Tactical officers are also in attendance and the fire has been classed as a category two wildfire.
“This incident is ongoing. We would like to thank members of the public for their calls and co-operation.”