People warned to stay away from Powys hills after fires

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MWWFRS) said a crew from Rhayader Fire Station was initially called to the Elan Valley on Sunday morning, April 26, to deal with an incident in the Llawrdderw area.

The fire service said that, after responding to a hill fire across approximately five miles of grassland and bracken at around 9.22am, the crew monitored the fire and identified it did not pose a risk to any people and properties.

Elan Valley wildfire (Image: Rhys Thomas)

However, after a re-inspection on Monday morning, it was identified that three separate fire fronts had re-ignited close to the Claerwen reservoir. A total of four fire crews were sent to the scene on Monday and are still there.

“Please be aware that there is a serious hill fire in the Elan Valley affecting the area between the Claerwen and Elan reservoirs,” read a post on the Discover Elan Facebook page – a page managed by the Elan Valley Trust.

“The byway along the Claerwen reservoir is being used by emergency vehicles and the Monks Trod is also badly affected by the fires – both should be avoided.

“Do not venture into these hills at this time.”

A fire service spokesperson said earlier on Monday: “At 9.22am on Sunday, April 26, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crew from Rhayader Fire Station was called to an incident at Llawrdderw in Rhayader.

“The crew responded to a hill fire across approximately five miles of grassland and bracken. The crew monitored the fire and identified it did not pose a risk to any people and properties.

“The scene was reinspected at 7.30am on Monday, April 27, which identified three separate fire fronts close to the Claerwen Dam.

“This incident is currently ongoing, with crews from Rhayader, Llanidloes, Llanwrtyd Wells and Tregaron Fire Stations in attendance.”