Agencies continue response to Rhinogydd wildfire
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) are continuing to work together to respond to the wildfire in the Rhinogydd near Harlech in North Wales.
The fire, which was first reported on 12 July, is affecting a remote mountain area that includes highly protected habitats designated as a Special Area of Conservation, Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve.
Firefighters remain on site and are using a range of tactics to manage the incident, including making use of natural firebreaks and creating new containment lines where appropriate. Specialist wildfire officers continue to assess conditions and direct the operational response.
Due to difficult terrain and limited access to parts of the site, NWFRS sought helicopter support through established wildfire response arrangements in Wales. Given the potential impact on wildlife and high-quality habitats, NRW approved the use of the helicopter and the associated costs.
However, because of the high number of wildfire incidents currently being responded to across the UK and limited specialist aircraft availability, no suitable helicopters are currently available. Aircraft are not expected to be available until next week.
Jasmine Sharp, Duty Tactical Manager for Natural Resources Wales, said:
"We are working closely with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service to support the response to this wildfire and protect these important habitats.
"Given the scale and location of the incident, we have explored every available option, including helicopter support. Unfortunately, specialist aircraft are currently in very high demand across the UK and none are available at present.
"We will continue to pursue aerial support as soon as aircraft become available, while supporting the ongoing response on the ground."
Paul Kay, Head of Fire Safety for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said:
"A helicopter would provide valuable support in helping us assess and tackle the fire in areas that are extremely difficult to reach. While that resource is not currently available, our crews remain fully engaged and are using a range of tactics to contain the fire and limit its spread, including using natural firebreaks and creating new ones.
"Due to the size of the area affected and the nature of the terrain, it is likely that this fire will continue to burn over the coming days. Yesterday afternoon into the evening we had 5 fire appliances, two narrow access vehicles, one wildfire unit and approximately 40 firefighters at the scene. Specialist wildfire officers are continually assessing conditions and directing our response, and we will deploy additional resources over the coming days as required."