Fire crews are battling six separate wildfires across south Wales. Firefighters were fighting flames at Tir-Phil in New Tredegar, Pantside near Newbridge, Blaengarw, Rhigos mountain, Nantyfyllon and Pontycymer on Wednesday afternoon.
At around 3pm a spokeswoman from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the fires were still ongoing. The serious incident at Rhigos Mountain saw the A4061 Rhigos Mountain Pass close in both directions from Hirwaun Industrial Estate, Rhigos Road to Treherbert from about 1pm on Wednesday.
The fire at Tir-Phil, New Tredegar, is close to homes and residents have been told to keep their doors and windows closed.
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The Rhigos Mountain fire originally started on Friday but reignited on Tuesday. The spokeswoman said: "At approximately 5.59pm on Friday, June 9 2023, we received reports of a wildfire on the Rhigos Mountain. Multiple crews have been in attendance alongside emergency service colleagues.
"Specialist equipment including fire beaters and a helicopter have been utilised to manage the fire. Firefighters created fire breaks to help manage and prevent the fire from spreading further. The fire reignited on Tuesday, June 13 and crews returned to the scene. The incident is ongoing and the Rhigos Mountain Road (A4061) has now been closed as a safety precaution. We want to thank members of the public for their calls."
Dramatic pictures of the fire taken by Garan Thomas Photography show the extent of the blaze, as smoke and flames rip through hundreds of trees. Although the cause of the fires have not yet been confirmed, they come during a heatwave in Wales with temperatures predicted to reach as high as 28°C in some parts of the country on Wednesday.
Heidi Edwards lives in Tir-Phil, New Tredegar. She said she had been watching the fire there unfold from her back garden since around 1pm. The 42-year-old told WalesOnline: "I have been watching the fire since around 1pm. It's sweeping across and there is a helicopter above [pouring water] onto it. There seems to be no containing it."
"I can still see flames behind the trees and as the wind is blowing it's blowing the flames up the mountain and bringing more flames with it. At first I was scared, I think it is very sad. There are sheep on the mountain as well as peregrines and kites living in the cove. It's such a beautiful scene and now we've got this to look at.
"At the other side of the mountain where the fire is out, it's all black. It spread like wildfire. I can smell the smoke and we have had to close our windows, but it isn't affecting us personally and as far as we know we're not in danger."
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