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Wales Wildfire Smoke Chokes West Country
10 Aug
Summary
- Wildfires are an emerging threat to fire services.
- Smoke from a Welsh wildfire reached the West Country.
- Over a hundred calls were received about the smell of smoke.
Wildfires represent an "emerging threat" to fire services, a fire chief has warned. Smoke and ash from a significant moorland fire near Llangynidr Reservoir in south Wales recently traveled across the border, impacting the West Country.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service reported receiving over a hundred calls on Sunday from concerned residents smelling smoke. Crews were dispatched across the county to investigate potential fires before realizing the source was the Welsh blaze.
A helicopter was deployed to assist with the moorland fire, with firefighters anticipating several more days on scene. Similar reports of smoke in Bristol, North Somerset, and Frome were also attributed to the Welsh incident.
