Military and firefighters report progress against major south Wales wildfire
Crews and soldiers reported signs of progress on August 16 against a peat fire near Blaenavon that has burned more than 4,000 hectares over three weeks.
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- Crews and soldiers reported signs of progress on August 16 against a peat fire near Blaenavon that has burned more than 4,000 hectares over three weeks.
Firefighters and military personnel reported signs of progress on Sunday, August 16, against a large wildfire near Blaenavon in south Wales after more than three weeks of difficult operations.
The fire has spread across more than 4,000 hectares of hillside, threatening homes, farmland and other property. Underground peat has kept burning and repeatedly reignited at the surface, complicating efforts to contain the blaze.
Personnel from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment have been cutting firebreaks and turning over smouldering soil, while a contracted helicopter has dropped water on hotspots. Fire crews are also using thermal-camera drones to locate hidden heat and direct teams more precisely.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service sought military support after multiple fires broke out across the region. The deployment was the first use of UK military personnel against wildfires since 2018, according to The Guardian.
By Sunday afternoon, the Blaenavon fire appeared to be slowing, though officials said the scale of the incident remained exceptional. The cause has not been established. Investigators are separately examining suspected arson in several other UK fires.
Hot, dry conditions have contributed to the United Kingdom’s busiest recorded wildfire season. Officials cautioned that cooler weather and sustained rainfall may be needed to fully suppress deep peat fires, even as immediate containment improves.
