A vast wildfire has ravaged 150 hectares of land on Llanwonno mountain in the Rhondda Valley, prompting authorities to declare a major incident on Monday to protect nearby homes. The blaze, which began Saturday afternoon, remains classified as a major incident due to its scale and challenging terrain.
The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has deployed 20 fire engines, specialist wildfire teams, and drone capability to contain the flames. Firefighters worked through the night, though a specialist helicopter could not be deployed due to poor weather. Authorities reported deliberate fire-setting on the mountain Monday night, and a no-fly zone has been imposed for a week. A rest centre was established at Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre for residents affected by poor air quality.
The fire comes after Wales recorded its driest July since 1836, following four consecutive heatwaves that have left all of Wales in drought.