The military has been deployed to help emergency services tackle a series of wildfires burning across Wales, as concern grows that many of the blazes are being started on purpose.
Soldiers have joined firefighters and police on the ground as crews struggle to contain multiple fires that have broken out in recent days. The decision to bring in military support reflects just how stretched emergency services have become dealing with the scale and frequency of the outbreaks.
Things took a more serious turn near Porth in the Rhondda Valley, where police confirmed they are now investigating a fire they believe was started deliberately. Four boys, all aged 14, have been arrested in connection with the blaze. The arrests have raised fresh alarm about young people starting fires in open countryside, something fire services across Wales have repeatedly warned about during dry spells.
Wildfires have long been a seasonal headache for Welsh fire and rescue services, particularly across upland areas and valleys where dry grass and moorland can ignite quickly. But the combination of dry conditions and what appears to be deliberate fire-starting has pushed the response to a new level this time around.
Fire crews have been battling exhausting conditions, with some blazes proving extremely difficult to control due to terrain and wind. The involvement of the army is intended to provide extra manpower and resources to support those efforts, helping to protect both the landscape and communities nearby.
Police have urged anyone with information about suspicious activity near open land to come forward. With four teenagers already arrested near Porth, investigators are keen to establish the full picture of how many fires may have been started deliberately and whether there are further individuals involved.
Authorities have also taken the opportunity to warn the public about the dangers of starting fires outdoors, whether intentional or accidental. Even a discarded cigarette or an unattended barbecue can trigger a blaze that spreads rapidly across dry grassland, putting homes, wildlife and the safety of firefighters at serious risk.
The Welsh countryside has faced growing pressure from wildfires in recent years, with climate patterns bringing longer dry periods that leave vegetation more vulnerable to burning. Conservation groups have pointed to the damage these fires cause to ecosystems, wiping out habitats and killing wildlife that can take years to recover.
For now, the priority remains getting the active fires under control. With military personnel now working alongside the emergency services, the hope is that the combined effort will be enough to bring the situation under control before conditions worsen further.