The First Minister has not confirmed whether any further support will be made available for farmers and landowners who have been impacted by the Blaenavon wildfire.

Rhun ap Iowerth MS joined fellow Plaid Cymru Senedd Members, Matthew Jones MS and Donna Cushing MS at the site on Thursday after the Sir Fynwy Torfaen representatives requested that he meet with the Blorenge Commoners’ Association to learn more about the struggles they will face in the aftermath of the disaster.

The meeting on Mynydd Garnclochdy also brought politicians together with representatives from NFU Cymru, including the President, Abi Reader. One of the local Senedd Members said he was impressed by the local response to the fire, but that it was too early to fully understand the impact the fire will have.

“The response from the local community to the wildfire has been impressive. There must now be time for reflection and learning, particularly on how services can draw more effectively on local knowledge in the future,” Matthew Jones MS said.

“Inviting the First Minister to see the harrowing scale of the devastation was an important part of that process, and the start of a wider conversation about how we safeguard our communities from wildfires in the years ahead.”

“During the height of the fire, members of the Blorenge Commoners Association used their local expertise to support the Fire Service, at risk to their own lives. I was glad to help ensure the association had the opportunity to convey that directly to the First Minister.”

“It will take many years before the landscape shows any meaningful signs of recovery. It is also too early to fully understand the impact on livestock numbers, nature and biodiversity at the site.”

“Climate change is increasing the risk of wildfires in Wales, particularly during heatwave conditions. I am proud that the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government is taking this threat seriously, even as others in our national debate continue to deny the effects of man-made climate change.”

Meanwhile, both the Conservatives and Reform UK have said financial support must be made available to farmers whose land and livestock has been obliterated by the blaze.

Conservative, Peter Fox MS, recently told The Chronicle the Welsh Government has to act “as soon as possible” to help farmers and commoners facing a very uncertain future.

Meanwhile, Reform’s Laura Anne Jones MS hit out at current farming policy in Wales by saying it had contributed to the initial, uncontrollable spread of the fire.

“The fire could have been contained better. Farming policy has not helped,” she said.

“The Welsh Government must now financially support the farmers and landowners to restore the mountain, feed livestock and ensure better land management - like supporting fire breaks and fire ponds - so devastation on this scale like this and right around Wales, never happens again.”

“This land is of national environmental importance. It must be treated like it.”