'Appalling' wildfire rages near people's homes in Wales as 200 soldiers are deployed to help firefighters

By ROBERT FOLKER, NEWS REPORTER Published: 23:58, 15 August 2026 | Updated: 00:29, 16 August 2026 Another wildfire began raging near homes in south Wales tonight as 200 soldiers have been deployed to support firefighters in the region. Images from the scene show the mountainside in Ynyswen and Treherbert up in flames, with emergency services rushing to the area to battle the blaze. Flames can be seen burning across the mountainside behind a row of houses, with one resident telling WalesOnline: 'It was smoking this morning, I noticed when I was walking the dog and it's got worse from then.'  South Wales Fire and Rescue Service issued a major incident update on Saturday night, and said it had already received 736 calls compared to an average of about 300. The region has been affected by wildfires, leading to the deployment of about 200 military personnel – from the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, supported by the 22 Engineer Regiment – to provide support. According to the Ministry of Defence, their main task was to provide logistical support, such as water distribution, and help free firefighters and specialist responders to focus on frontline firefighting. Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said: 'Tonight's fire in Treherbert is appalling.  Thankfully, there are fire engines from all over the UK and two helicopters have been in place all afternoon.  'One crew has come all the way from London. I'm immensely impressed by the fire workers. But this can't be our new normal.' Images from the scene show the mountainside in Ynyswen and Treherbert up in flames, with emergency services rushing to the area to battle the blaze Flames can be seen burning across the mountainside behind a row of houses in Treherbert Smoke rises from burning moorland near a residential area, south of Ebbw Vale in south Wales on August 15 In an update shared with WalesOnline on Saturday evening, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Today alone, our crews have responded to 14 concurrent wildfire incidents, with firefighters working with extreme professionalism and bravery to protect communities, homes, businesses, wildlife, and the environment. 'Our ongoing response continues to be supported by mutual aid from neighbouring fire and rescue services across the UK.' It comes after West Midlands Fire Service declared a major incident on Thursday as a wildfire spread across more than 500 acres and destroyed 19 homes in the market town. It was one of several blazes to ravage through the UK this week as temperatures soared and the hottest day of the year was recorded. Locals impacted by the Stourbridge fire have been invited to attend an address in the area and meet with emergency service officers who will outline 'if further assessment needs to be made to let you into your property… or if you cannot currently return to your property'. The fire service provided instructions to those who have been evacuated and said that alongside other agencies, it has worked 'around the clock to bring the incident under control'. Around 100 firefighters were sent to tackle the inferno in Stourbridge and a major incident was declared. Residents said ash was 'raining down' amid the 'very strong' smoke. Emergency services are looking into reports that the fires could be linked to Year 13 students lighting barbecues and burning notepads after receiving their exam scores. A TikTok craze sees some youngsters film themselves lighting up paperwork, with fire investigators now considering whether the activity could have caused the chaos. West Midlands Fire Service confirmed the rumours were shared with fire crews, who have so far found no direct evidence to support the theory but remain open-minded. Your browser does not support iframes. About 200 military personnel – from the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, supported by the 22 Engineer Regiment – were deployed in South Wales provide support. Soldiers from 10 QOGLR digging out fire breaks within the woodblocks in Wales On Friday evening, millions of people in England and Wales received an alert on their mobile devices warning them of a 'very high risk of wildfires nationally'. It came after Prime Minister Andy Burnham described Britain as a 'tinderbox' and a temporary ban on disposable barbecues was put in place. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said it has been 'inundated' with 999 calls since the emergency alert and urged people to help 'keep our lines available for those who need urgent assistance'. It also caused chaos on the roads, with spooked motorists veering across carriageways as they attempted to check their phones.  Mr Burnham said on Friday: 'This evening, an emergency alert has been sent to people across England and Wales as the wildfire risk remains very high. 'The request came directly from fire and rescue services... During this period of extreme heat, I'm asking everyone to take extra care. 'Please do not light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas.' Meanwhile in Surrey, the fire service urged people only to call 999 'if there is an emergency or a fire producing significant smoke'.  The Prince of Wales shared a statement on Saturday thanking emergency services which have been 'working tirelessly' to battle wildfires across the country. William said: 'To the firefighters, emergency responders and volunteers battling wildfires across the UK, thank you. 'Our thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who have lost their homes, and with those working tirelessly to protect communities, homes and the countryside.' The chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council, Phil Garrigan, said on Friday morning that the service is 'under significant pressure'. He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'We've had 11 major incidents declared across the UK – Stourbridge particularly, but (also) Sandwell, Pershore, Stoke-on-Trent. We've got incidents still raging in Hampshire, in South Wales. 'It's been a particularly difficult, busy period for the fire and rescue service, where we've been under significant pressure.' Prime Minister Andy Burnham (centre) walks with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker (right) as he talks to Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill (left) during a visit to Stourbridge yesterday afternoon The blaze in Stourbridge forced some people to flee after it started tearing through homes Temperatures are set to cool in the coming days and the Met Office said Sunday will be cloudier with rain in some places. Will Lang, the Met Office's chief meteorologist, said that while rain is on its way, there remains a question mark over how much would fall. A Network Rail boss said that extra funding could be needed to help the railway cope with the impact of climate change. It comes after a Greater Anglia train derailed on Friday south of Wickford railway station in Essex, while an incident at Lewes on Thursday seriously injured two passengers. Martin Frobisher, group safety and engineering director at Network Rail, told BBC Radio 4's Today that investigations into the incidents in Essex and East Sussex will be 'looking at climate and all sorts of other issues'. Eastbourne Airshow has said it will not be staging fireworks at the event on Sunday following the alert issued by the Government. Eastbourne Borough Council lead member for tourism and place, Jenny Williams, said: 'We understand many of our residents and airshow visitors will be disappointed, however, this decision has been taken in the interests of public safety and in ensuring we do not place further pressures on emergency services at this already busy time.'