Local fire crews are being stretched to their limit by a number of incidents across South Wales, as a second Blaenavon wildfire takes hold.

Last night, locals reported seeing smoke and flames as dusk fell over Blaenavon. The fire is in Cwmavon Woods, and is burning alongside a peat fire on Mynydd Garnclochdy which spanned an area equivalent of 300 football pitches at its height.

Smoke is affecting local communities in Blaenavon, Brynmawr, Cwmbran, Newport, Pontypool and the surrounding areas as the wind sends smoke billowing into the valley below. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has advised locals to close all their doors and windows and has urged locals to stop calling 999.

“Please only call 99 if you have a new emergency to report,” a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, crews also remain in attendance at the previously reported incidents across the area. As well as the two ongoing incidents near Blaenavon, a major incident has been declared near Llangynidr Reservoir. A fire thought to cover over 7,000 metres in circumference continues to rage on as crews anticipate the fight against the fire will be stretched to a week long by Friday.

In the Sirhowy Valley, near Tredegar, crews are tackling a wildfire in Wattsville (Caerphilly County Borough) and Abernant, near Aberdare.

A fire that had previously been extinguished in Llanwonno, near Ferndale in Rhondda Cynon Taff, has also been reignited due to ‘deliberate fire setting’ in the area.