No helicopters to fight the Welsh wildfires as ‘crisis management’ plans are activated

The Welsh Government has activated “crisis management arrangements” due to the number of bushfires across the country.

The lack of resources, such as helicopters, to tackle the blazes has come under criticism from residents, some of which have burned for days in North and South Wales.

The Welsh Government says North Wales Fire and Rescue has received extra resources but aerial support is not available anywhere else in the UK.

However, urgent discussions are now taking place in Wales and England to identify how this can be resolved, he said.

Meanwhile, firefighters are tackling a third day of massive blazes in south Wales, with smoke billowing up to 30 miles (48 km).

A 4,000-name petition for aerial help was sparked by a fire in Conwy County that spread to Coed Brennin.

The Welsh Government said the most effective way to fight wildfires was “at ground level, and that’s what our firefighters do with great skill and determination”.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were continuing to deal with a large grass fire on Conwy Mountain at Cappellulo near Scint Pass.

There is also a multi-agency response to the bushfires in the Rhinogeed Mountains in Gwynedd, with householders advised to close windows and doors.

Elsewhere, firefighters are dealing with grass fires at Hope Mountain and Brimbo overlooking the A55 in Wrexham County, Pentrefellin, Holyhead and Pentre Halkin, Flintshire.