Specialist helicopter to be deployed to fight ongoing wildfire

A specialist firefighting helicopter will be deployed to Rhinogydd on Friday morning (24 July) to help tackle an ongoing wildfire.

The announcement from Natural Resources Wales comes after the Welsh Government unsuccessfully tried to source aerial support from the military.

On Thursday afternoon a statement from the Welsh Government it enquired with the armed forces about using a helicopter but there was "no appropriate aerial firefighting capability based in the UK."

Welsh Government Minister Siân Gwenllian previously said: "No airborne firefighting capability is currently available for deployment anywhere in the UK to support these efforts."

The lack of aerial supported prompted Welsh Labour to call for the Senedd to be recalled from its summer recess.

In a statement posted on the afternoon of July 23, before the announcement of deployed helicopter, Ken Skates MS, leader of the Welsh Labour Group, said: “I am deeply concerned about the wildfires across Wales.

"There is an urgent need for the Senedd to meet in order for the government to provide an update about the response and give Members' the opportunity to represent their constituents' views.

“The lack of aerial support is of great concern.

“My thoughts remain with everyone affected by the fires and I would like to thank the fire and rescue teams across Wales, who have been working tirelessly in very difficult circumstances.”

Natural Resources Wales said there has been "exceptional demand from wildfire incidents elsewhere in the UK."

"The helicopter will make a vital contribution to the response, working alongside the dedicated efforts of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews and our own teams, who have been supporting the incident response on the ground throughout."

However, NRW said the availability of the helicopter will be "assessed in line with operational needs across Wales and the wider UK."

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "Resources remain in attendance at Rhinogydd mountains near Llyn Cwm Bychan, close to Harlech and on the Trawsfynydd side of the mountain, where crews are monitoring the area, limiting fire spread and undertaking reactive firefighting.

"Guidance has been given to local communities by North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service in relation to maintaining situational awareness and keeping up to date with online and local media communications.

"Due to the dynamic nature of the incident, we have officers in attendance in strategic locations across the incident ground who are continually monitoring the site and conditions to ensure proactive actions are taken well in advance of any evacuation instructions."

The fire service is continuing to monitor conditions at the following sites as a precaution:- Pentre Halkyn- Mount Pleasant in Brymbo- The mountain above Capelulo near Sychnant Pass- Hope Mountain in Flintshire- Pentrefelin, Holyhead

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