A WILDFIRE continues to rage around the town of Rhayader on Thursday (August 13), after a blaze broke out on Gwastedyn Hill above the town on Wednesday, leaving some residents “scared to go to sleep”.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MWWFRS) said it was alerted to a wildfire in the Nant Glas area, between Rhayader and Llandrindod Wells, at around 2.30pm on Wednesday.
Crews from 10 Powys stations responded to the incident, with the fire continuing to wreak havoc into the night and Thursday morning.
Dyfed Powys Police announced early on Thursday that the A470 between Rhayader and Newbridge-on-Wye had been closed, after fires were recorded breaking out on land adjacent to the roadside.
One resident in town described seeing fire “glowing all around us” as night fell on Wednesday, while one person living on the Nant Rhyd Hir estate described how her house “went dark” as smoke bellowed down off the hill and engulfed Rhayader.
Read more
Status update on huge wildfire at reservoir on edge of Brecon Beacons
Wildfire on Powys border is now considered to be under control
Multiple crews battle blaze as firefighters called back to previous wildfire site
“It’s been scary,” said Gayle Evans, who lives on the Sunnyfield estate, near to the pump track.
“We’re worried the ash that’s landing everywhere will set our lawn on fire.
“The air is thick with smoke, so we’re all inside with the windows closed. Our cats won’t go outside. My daughter was scared to go to sleep last night. I don’t think any of us got much sleep.
“It was scary just looking out the window and seeing fire glowing all around us.
“They’ve closed parts of Rhayader, the leisure centre and some shops, and South Street is closed.”
Donna Chapman, who lives in Cwmdauddwr, added: “Yesterday the fire was pumping out smoke but for us in Cwmdauddwr it was blowing away south.
“We could see the flames from our garden and it was very upsetting as we could see it traveling down the hill.
“But, today, the smoke is hanging around and smells strong. We have had to shut all the windows and doors.
“There have been pieces of ash floating down into the garden and even burnt oak leaves.
“I am very concerned about the woodland habitat on the lower part of the hill. Obviously, we’re really concerned for local residents too. We are about a mile from the hill so should be OK.”
Tim Falconer, who lives outside of town, close to where the fire originated, said: “It's a horrible situation, so much affected by it, especially wildlife.
“We can see the fire in the distance but it is the smoke, it's sitting over us at the moment.
“I’m just grateful it's not thick smoke or I would have problems for my animals. We are lucky compared to so many others.”
As the fire spread on Wednesday, Llanbrynmair-based agricultural machinery business Agri Pro Services helped to cut around the blaze and remove some of the flammable material.
“At 2.32pm on Wednesday 12th August, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to a wildfire in the Nant Glas area,” a fire service spokesperson said.
“Crews from Rhayader, Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells, Llanidloes, Newtown, Aberystwyth, Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool, Knighton and Llanfyllin were and are still in attendance.
“The fire has been sectorised and crews are making good progress. This is an ongoing incident and we will provide more information when available.”
In a post on its Facebook page on Thursday, Llandrindod Wells Fire Station said: "We continue to deal with a wildfire in the Rhayader area, with crews working to bring the incident under control.
"As a result of the ongoing incident, the A470 between the Halt near Llanwrthwl and Rhayader is closed and is expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future.
"We ask members of the public to avoid the area while emergency crews deal with the incident and, importantly, do not attempt to use the A470.
"Please follow all road closure signs and instructions from emergency services and local authority."
Share