A major incident has been declared in Conwy county following a large mountain wildfire that has forced residents to evacuate their homes. Fire crews have been battling the blaze near Conwy Mountain and the Sychnant Pass since Sunday morning, facing difficult conditions exacerbated by the current hot and dry weather.
Jami Jennings from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service stated that operations are expected to continue for some time due to the incident's scale and complexity. A vast blanket of smoke covered the skies for miles around Penmaenmawr on Sunday afternoon, with residents reporting thick air and a strong smell of burning. Those evacuated are currently staying at The Gladstone Inn, with many not expecting to return home on Sunday night.
Local resident Rita Raweily, a volunteer community coordinator, described being woken by her dog's barking and the escalating smell of smoke as the wind picked up. She emphasised the importance of following emergency service instructions, stating that while houses can be replaced, people cannot. One person has reportedly been taken to hospital, though Ms Raweily confirmed that everyone else is safe.
The incident coincides with a 'very high risk' of wildfires across most of Wales in the coming days, as the country experiences its third heatwave of the year. Forecasters predict that parts of Wales will remain extremely hot and dry. Dave Swallow from the National Fire Chiefs Council warned that such conditions significantly increase wildfire risk and urged the public to act responsibly by avoiding disposable barbecues and ensuring cigarettes are fully extinguished.
In addition to the Conwy Mountain fire, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews are also responding to other grass fires on Halkyn Mountain in Flintshire and Braichmelyn Forest in Bethesda, Gwynedd. The service has advised people to avoid affected areas to allow emergency services to work, follow road closures, keep windows and doors closed, and report any signs of fire immediately by calling 999.