Specialist helicopter joins battle against Llangynidr Reservoir wildfire
Nation.Cymru Staff
A specialist firefighting helicopter is now working to help fire crews tackle a major moorland wildfire that continues to burn close to Llangynidr Reservoir near Ebbw Vale.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) shared an update on the blaze, which they have been tackling since Friday, 7 August, on Facebook.
At lunchtime on Sunday, 9 August, SWFRS said: “The moorland fire near the Llangynidr Reservoir remains ongoing and due to the wind and nature of the land, it has spread and there remains to be a lot of smoke in the area.
“As part of our ongoing assessment of the incident, weather conditions and the resources needed, a specialist firefighting helicopter is now supporting crews on the ground.
“We expect to be at the scene for a few days and we will continue to review our response daily as conditions change.”
An earlier update on Sunday morning said that “smoke remains visible and is affecting communities in and around the area,” and partner agencies and specialist contractors are working alongside the service to contain the blaze.
The service thanked the local community for their support and cooperation.
Several wildfires have broken out in Wales over recent weeks, with large blazes at Blaenavon, Llanwonno in the Rhondda Valleys, and the Rhinogydd mountain range in Gwynedd, where a special helicopter was also deployed to assist in July.
Though there were fewer wildfires in the second half of July 2026 in England and Wales compared with 2025, Nick Thomas of Natural Resources Wales said the damage is worse than any year before.
He told the BBC: “This year seems to have been worse, I would say, than any of the ones I can remember. I would expect this to probably be the worst year for wildfires perhaps we’ve ever had…
“If a fire burns into the soil and incinerates the soil… then you’ve lost hundreds of years worth of soil. So it’s going to take hundreds of years really for that vegetation to come back in a similar way to what it was.”
SWFRS advises that, if wildfire smoke is affecting your area, stay indoors where possible and keep windows and doors closed. Open them only once smoke has cleared to ventilate buildings and keep them cool
They also urge people to carry any prescribed inhalers or medication at all times and, if you become unwell, seek advice from NHS 111, the local pharmacy, a GP, in an emergency by dialling 999, or by attending the nearest emergency department.
In the areas around Llangynidr Reservoir, SWFRS has requested that members of the public keep away to allow emergency services to work safely, and avoid flying drones over the fire.
On 30 July a drought was declared across the entirety of Wales in response to factors such as record-low water levels in rivers as well as dry soils.
While there is no blanket ban on barbecues or campfires during a drought, they may be prohibited under local bylaws, public spaces protection orders or landowner rules, and anyone who causes a wildfire could face criminal prosecution.
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