North Wales Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Sunday after firefighters battled a large wildfire near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain. The fire pit blaze forced dozens of people from their homes, and crews stayed on scene in challenging conditions.
Jami Jennings, the service delivery manager, said: "Firefighters remain on scene working in challenging conditions to contain the fire and protect surrounding communities, property, infrastructure and the environment. Due to the size and complexity of the incident, operations are expected to continue for some time." She also asked the public: "We would ask members of the public to avoid the affected area to allow emergency services to work safely and efficiently."
Jami Jennings on North Wales
The evacuation put immediate pressure on the response in North Wales, where crews had to contain the fire while protecting homes and nearby infrastructure. Jennings' warning means people in the affected area should stay away from Sychnant Pass and leave access clear for emergency services. A related fire pits offer appears in separate coverage.
The scale of the evacuation was not given beyond dozens of people, but the response was already stretching into a longer operation. Jennings said the incident was large and complex enough that work would continue for some time, which points to sustained disruption for residents near Conwy Mountain.
Dave Swallow on wildfire risk
The North Wales fire came as Natural England said areas in the South East, London and the Midlands were at highest risk. It added that large parts of the country would be at exceptional risk by the middle of the week, while most of England and Wales would stay at very high risk over the coming days.
Dave Swallow of the National Fire Chiefs Council said hot, dry weather can "significantly increase wildfire risk". He added: "But most wildfires start because something provides the spark." In his warning, "Whether it is a disposable barbecue left behind, a discarded cigarette or even a glass bottle left in the sunshine, we all have a role to play in preventing them."
Met Office and North Wales
The Met Office said the scorching heatwave conditions were due to last into the coming week, with most areas expected to stay dry, sunny and very hot. That kept pressure on fire services beyond North Wales, after Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service was called out to two moorland wildfires and London Fire Brigade dealt with a blaze involving shrubbery at Stratford Station on Friday evening, causing rail line closures.
For people near the North Wales fire, the immediate step is to keep clear of the area and follow the access restrictions that Jennings described. For people elsewhere in England and Wales, the risk map points to a wider period of caution through the coming days, with the highest risk concentrated in the South East, London and the Midlands.
