About 200 soldiers have been deployed to Wales to support firefighters battling an appalling wildfire raging near homes in Ynyswen and Treherbert.
Emergency services rushed to the Rhondda valley as flames burned across the mountainside behind rows of residential properties following days of dry heat.
Sir Chris Bryant, the Member of Parliament for Rhondda and Ogmore and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, praised the emergency response while calling for long-term action.
"Tonight's fire in Treherbert is appalling. Thankfully, there are fire engines from all over the UK and two helicopters have been in place all afternoon. One crew has come all the way from London," Bryant said. "I'm immensely impressed by the fire workers. But this can't be our new normal."
One local resident described noticing the fire early in the day while walking their dog. "It was smoking this morning, I noticed when I was walking the dog and it's got worse from then," the resident told WalesOnline.
The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Saturday night as call volumes soared. The service received 736 emergency calls on Saturday alone, compared to an average daily volume of roughly 300.
"Today alone, our crews have responded to 14 concurrent wildfire incidents, with firefighters working with extreme professionalism and bravery to protect communities, homes, businesses, wildlife, and the environment," South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said in an update shared with WalesOnline.
"Our ongoing response continues to be supported by mutual aid from neighbouring fire and rescue services across the UK," the service added.
Military support and regional emergency response
The military deployment, ordered on Friday, consists of around 200 personnel drawn primarily from the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, including troops from 10 QOGLR, supported by 22 Engineer Regiment.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the soldiers are performing vital logistical tasks including water distribution, digging fire breaks within wooded areas, and assisting emergency personnel across remote and difficult terrain. Their presence frees specialist responders to focus directly on frontline firefighting.
Elin Jones, the Welsh Finance Minister, confirmed that both South Wales Fire Service and Mid and West Wales Fire Service have declared major incidents due to widespread fire pressures.
"At present, both South Wales and Mid and West Wales Fire Services have declared major incidents given the pressures on them from fires in multiple locations," Jones said. "The incidents are being managed through an established multi-agency emergency structure covering all organisations involved in the response including the Welsh Government."
Jones expressed gratitude for the military assistance, stating that the Welsh Government stands ready to provide funding for the army operations if required.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported that while crews have worked tirelessly to tackle hotspots, changing weather conditions caused localised flare-ups. Crews remain on scene prioritizing active fire zones while monitoring the wider landscape.
Destruction of homes in West Midlands wildfire
The Welsh blazes follow a major incident declared on Thursday by West Midlands Fire Service after a massive wildfire swept across more than 500 acres in Stourbridge, destroying 19 homes.
Around 100 firefighters fought the Stourbridge inferno around the clock as ash rained down on nearby neighbourhoods and thick smoke filled the air, forcing residents to flee their properties.
Evacuated residents have been invited to meet with emergency service officers at a local venue to determine whether their homes are safe to re-enter or if they remain temporarily displaced.
Fire investigators are currently looking into reports that the blazes might be linked to Year 13 students celebrating exam results by lighting barbecues and burning notepads as part of a TikTok trend.
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that while crews had been informed of the social media craze, no direct evidence has yet been established, though investigators remain open-minded.
National emergency alert and political warnings
On Friday evening, millions of mobile phone users across England and Wales received an emergency test alert warning of a very high national wildfire risk, triggering momentary disruption on roads as motorists reacted to the loud notification.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the nation as a "tinderbox" and announced a temporary ban on disposable barbecues to reduce fire risks during the extreme heat.
"This evening, an emergency alert has been sent to people across England and Wales as the wildfire risk remains very high," Burnham said during a visit to Stourbridge alongside West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill. "During this period of extreme heat, I'm asking everyone to take extra care. Please do not light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces."
The emergency alert prompted a surge in non-urgent 999 calls, leading Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service to issue a plea for the public to keep telephone lines clear for life-threatening emergencies. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service similarly asked residents to report only active fires producing significant smoke.
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, issued a national message of support thanking firefighters, emergency responders, and volunteers for their tireless efforts, while offering sympathies to families who lost their homes.
Pressure on emergency services and transport network
Phil Garrigan, chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council, disclosed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that 11 major incidents had been declared across the UK, including in Stourbridge, Sandwell, Pershore, Stoke-on-Trent, Hampshire, and South Wales.
"It's been a particularly difficult, busy period for the fire and rescue service, where we've been under significant pressure," Garrigan warned on Friday morning.
The extreme heat and fires have also impacted national transport infrastructure. A Greater Anglia train derailed south of Wickford railway station in Essex on Friday, while a separate rail incident in Lewes, East Sussex, on Thursday left two passengers seriously injured.
Martin Frobisher, group safety and engineering director at Network Rail, told BBC Radio 4 that formal investigations into the train incidents will examine climate factors and potential funding requirements needed for infrastructure resilience.
Public events have also been curtailed. Eastbourne Borough Council cancelled the Sunday fireworks display at the Eastbourne Airshow following government warnings.
Jenny Williams, lead member for tourism and place at Eastbourne Borough Council, explained that the decision was taken in the interests of public safety to avoid burdening emergency services.
Although the Met Office predicted cooler temperatures and potential rain starting Sunday, chief meteorologist Will Lang noted that uncertainty remains over the exact amount of rainfall expected across affected regions.
