UK wildfires live: Major incident declared as firefighters tackle blazes across country

UK wildfires live: Major incident declared as firefighters tackle blazes across country Emergency services are fighting wildfire near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain, North Wales, with residents evacuated while blazes also breaking out in multiple locations across the country Residents are being evacuated as a major incident has been declared in North Wales as wildfire breaks out up and down the country. Emergency services are fighting the blaze near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain following a series of heatwaves in the UK and extreme temperatures. There are other wildfires that have broken out including in Greater Manchester, Somerset and Dorset with experts saying the country faces an "exceptional risk". Service Delivery Manager Jami Jennings, of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Firefighters remain on scene working in challenging conditions to contain the fire and protect surrounding communities, property, infrastructure and the environment. “The incident involves a co-ordinated response from multiple fire appliances, specialist wildfire resources and partner agencies. Due to the size and complexity of the incident, operations are expected to continue for some time. We would ask members of the public to avoid the affected area to allow emergency services to work safely and efficiently.” Key Events London Fire Brigade (LFB) dealt with a blaze involving shrubbery at Stratford Station on Friday evening, which caused rail line closures. Assistant commissioner Tom Goodall said there had been no injuries from the fire, but rail disruption was expected to continue into the morning. “We have worked with the local authority and our other partners to set up two rest centres for residents who have been evacuated from their homes,” he said. “They are all being supported at this time and we are hopeful that the majority of them will be able to return home tonight.” The LFB confirmed one house was alight, while the gardens of around 30 properties were also affected. Natural England’s Fire Severity Index has put much of England at “very high” risk of wildfires, with some areas in southern England and the Midlands at “exceptional” risk. The fire service in Liverpool has been alerted to smoke in the area. A spokesperson for Mersey Fire said: "Our Fire Control operators are receiving a high volume of calls relating to smoke in the South Liverpool area. "The origin of this is wildfires in North Wales and Manchester respectively. We would advise nearby residents and businesses to close windows and doors." Firefighters are working overnight to control a field fire in Kent. People in Wye were earlier warned to close windows and doors due to smoke. Kent Fire and Rescue have issued an update that "good progress" has been made but firefighters will remain on scene overnight to ensure the blaze is completely extinguished. Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has declared a major incident due to the impact of the large-scale wildfire at Tintwistle Moor. Area Manager Ellie Gillatt said: "Firefighters continue to face challenging conditions as they work to tackle the wildfire and protect the surrounding infrastructure and environment. "This remains a significant and complex incident, requiring a protracted, multi-agency response. DFRS has deployed multiple fire appliances and specialist wildfire resources, supported by neighbouring fire and rescue services and partner agencies including the Peak District Fire Operations Group, United Utilities, Derby Mountain Rescue and Derbyshire Constabulary. "While active firefighting operations will pause this evening, given the scale of the wildfire and the challenging terrain, operations will resume in the morning and are expected to continue for some time. “We would once again urge members of the public to avoid the affected area to allow emergency services and partner agencies to work safely and efficiently to bring this incident under control. Please follow any road and footpath closures, and keep windows and doors closed if affected by smoke.” North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has given an update urging people to continue to keep windows and doors closed as it monitors wildfire overnight. It states: "Firefighters remain on scene at a number of wildfire and grass fire incidents across North Wales and will continue monitoring overnight. "Thank you to local communities and partner agencies for their ongoing support. Please continue to avoid affected areas. Local residents should keep windows and doors closed if affected by smoke. "Everyone close to the Conwy Mountain who needed to evacuate has been contacted and supported through this process." A massive fire has broken out near a train station after a fire broke out at a railway embankment. Firefighters rushed to the scene near Vallentin Road and Shernall Street in north London at around 6.30pm. London Fire Brigade states: "Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters have been called to a fire near Vallentin Road and Shernhall Street in Walthamstow. "The fire has affected one house, multiple gardens and sheds as well as a railway embankment. Crews have been working hard to extinguish the fire as swiftly as possible. "The incident has been producing a significant amount of smoke and people in the area are advised to keep their windows and doors at this time. Motorists are advised to avoid the area, including Wood Street, Shernhall Street and surrounding roads, as road closures are in place. The Weaver Overground line has been partially closed. Two rest centres have been set up locally for residents affected by this incident in partnership with Waltham Forest Council. Penmaenmawr Town Council have issued this update over the wildfire in North Wales. It states: "Emergency services continue to respond to the wildfire on Conwy Mountain, with crews working hard to bring the incident under control. "Many residents have been safely evacuated. The previous place of safety has now closed, and the designated place of safety has been moved to Conwy Business Centre, Llandudno Junction. "Penmaenmawr Town Council would like to express its sincere thanks to the emergency services, community groups, volunteers, residents and local businesses who have worked together throughout the day to support those affected. The community spirit shown today has been truly remarkable. "The Council will continue to share official updates as they are received and will remain a point of contact for residents seeking information. "Members of the public are reminded to stay away from the affected area and allow the emergency services to continue their work safely and without obstruction." The fire service has said that there is now wildfire at a third location in North Wales. Emergency services are now tackling the blaze at Halkyn Mountain with people told to avoid the area. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service states: "New incident on Halkyn Mountain. Our crews are currently responding to a grass fire on Halkyn Mountain. "We ask members of the public to avoid the area for their safety and to allow emergency services to carry out their work." North Wales Fire and Rescue Service stated: "We are experiencing a high volume of calls relating to a grass fire at Braich Melyn Forestry, Bethesda. Thank you for your concerns. Firefighters are in attendance and monitoring the incident #wildfirewise." Firefighters have been tackling wildfire which has broken out across the country in recent days. Five fire engines from Torquay and Brixham fire stations were called to Hope's Nose in Torbay, Devon, after wildfire broke out just before lunchtime on Friday, July 10, despite fires being prohibited in the area. In a bid to stop the fire spreading further, fire crews from Brixham were taken to the outcrop onboard Torbay Lifeboat so they could help supply water to the colleagues on the fire front without the need to send out an additional water carrier. A spokesperson for Brixham Fire Station said: "At lunchtime on Friday we were mobilised to assist Torquay Fire Station colleagues fighting a wildfire on Hope's Nose. "The twist being we were being mobilised to attend via the Torbay Lifeboats. To be put ashore on a rock outcrop and supply water to the Torquay crew fighting the fire. This prevented the incident turning into a 6 pump incident due to the 600 meter coastal foot access to the location. "Having liaised with Coastguard prior, we boarded at Brixham Marina with lots of pumping equipment focussed around our Light portable pump. Still a very large heavy pump to transition from the Torbay all weather lifeboat, to the inshore lifeboat, then the rocks and back." A huge fire has broken out near Weymouth beach front, with plumes of black smoke billowing as shocked beach-goers look on. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue is on the scene with six appliances tackling the blaze. The fire was first spotted at around 4.15pm this afternoon (Sunday), and is still well ablaze. It is believed it has broken out at an electrical power station just next to Sealife Centre at Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth. There have been unconfirmed reports that Sealife has been evacuated as a result. A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has said: "Firefighters from Weymouth, Dorchester (two fire engines) and Bere Regis are currently dealing with a fire near Weymouth skatepark, Greenhill, Weymouth. "Crews were called at 3.45pm to reports of a fire which is affecting electrical infrastructure, and had spread to nearby trees and bushes. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are using two hose reels and a main line to extinguish the fire. "Colleagues from Dorset Police have closed the road. The incident is going and the incident ground has just requested further resources." An update from North Wales Fire Service says they are now dealing with "multiple" incidents. It states: "We are currently responding to multiple wildfire and grass fire incidents across North Wales, including the major incident on Conwy Mountain and a grass fire at Braichmelyn Forestry, Bethesda. "We are experiencing a high volume of calls and thank the public for their support and understanding." Youths have been slammed after setting off fireworks on the tinder-dry Saddleworth Moor around a Dovestone Reservoir before a huge wildfire blaze broke out last night. In one clip a young woman holding a rocket launcher as a firework explodes out from it on the moors above the reservoir in Greenfield, near Saddleworth in Oldham, reported the Manchester Evening News. Another firework appears to spark a blaze in dry grasses, before a group of bystanders run over to the smoking section of moorland. In another clip flames can be seen quickly spreading across a hillside at the Saddleworth beauty spot. Greater Manchester fire service has advised residents close to Dovestones Reservoir, Saddleworth, to keep their windows shut as smoke from wildfire spreads due to high winds. It said: "Firefighters remain at the scene of a moorland fire near Dovestones Reservoir and continue to work with partner agencies to contain the fire and prevent further spread. "Due to high winds, smoke from the fire may travel significant distances. Residents and visitors in surrounding areas are advised to keep windows and doors closed if affected by smoke. "The fire is not currently impacting the memorial tree plantation. Please continue to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work safely. Thank you for your cooperation." Dave Swallow, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wildfire deputy lead and lead tactical adviser, says that while hot weather “significantly increases wildfire risk" they are started because "something provides the spark”. He stated: “Whether it is a disposable barbecue left behind, a discarded cigarette or even a glass bottle left in the sunshine, we all have a role to play in preventing them. “Summer should be a time for people to enjoy the outdoors but it’s important not to underestimate the risks. Every year we see devastating wildfires and tragic drownings in inland water. “As more schools break up for the summer holiday, we’re asking people to enjoy the warmer weather safely, look out for one another and take simple steps to help prevent avoidable tragedies.” Huge plumes of smoke have been seen coming from wildfire in the Ilminster area of Somerset with five fire crews at the scene Chard Fire Station were called to reports of the fire in the Winterhay Lane area and crews from Chard, Martock, Yeovil, and Taunton fire stations were mobilised to the scene. On arrival they found a significant area of Conifer trees, hedgerow, grassland, and an electricity pylon well alight, which was spreading rapidly due to the dry conditions. Photos shared by Chard Fire Station showed a large amount of smoke pouring into the air as the fire raged through the countryside, causing damage to charred trees and hedgerows. Parts of the UK are at “exceptional” risk of wildfires as the heatwave continues, experts have warned. Areas in southern England and the Midlands are highlighted as being at highest risk, according to Natural England. Its fire severity index shows the area of “exceptional” risk is set to increase and spread to the South East and east of England by the middle of the week while most of the rest of England and Wales is deemed to be of “very high” risk over the coming days. The Met Office has said the scorching heatwave conditions experienced by much of the UK are due to last into the coming week, with most areas expected to stay dry, sunny and very hot. Penmaenmawr Town Council said: "Emergency services have advised that residents in parts of Capelulo, around the Fairy Glen public house, should evacuate the area due to smoke. Residents in the affected area are asked to leave safely and follow the instructions of the emergency services on scene. "Following advice from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the place of safety for evacuated residents has now been moved. Penmaenmawr Golf Club is now closed, and The Gladstone is now acting as the designated place of safety for residents affected by the precautionary evacuation. "This remains a precautionary measure due to smoke being carried by the wind. Residents in the affected area should continue to follow the advice of the emergency services. "Please continue to avoid travelling to the area unless essential, allowing emergency services to carry out their work safely and without obstruction. "Penmaenmawr Town Council remains in direct contact with the emergency services and will continue to share updates as they are received." A statement from North Wales Police reads: "A major incident has been declared by emergency services tackling a large-scale wildfire near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain." And another message states: "The road is currently closed on Conwy Old Road, Dwygyfylchi, due to a fire. Additionally, can local residents please keep all doors and windows closed for the time being, thank you." A statement from Traffic Wales North & Mid on X reads: "Fire Warning (Northen Coast) A large fire has been reported on Sychnant Pass Road / Conwy Mountain. The fire service is attending the scene. "A significant amount of smoke is drifting across parts of the North Wales coast. If you're travelling in the area, take extra care." Fire crews are continuing to tackle a serious blaze on the Sychnant Pass in Conwy. The incident started early this morning and comes after days of hot and dry weather. The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are aware of the incident on Conwy Mountain. If you are local close all windows and doors. Thank you." Service Delivery Manager Jami Jennings, of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Firefighters remain on scene working in challenging conditions to contain the fire and protect surrounding communities, property, infrastructure and the environment. “The incident involves a co-ordinated response from multiple fire appliances, specialist wildfire resources and partner agencies. Due to the size and complexity of the incident, operations are expected to continue for some time. We would ask members of the public to avoid the affected area to allow emergency services to work safely and efficiently.”