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Wildfires 'emerging threat' as smoke blown across county

James DiamondWest of England
BBC A photo of a rural field taken early in the morning, shows a grey haze of smoke in the air. The sun can just be seen rising behind trees in the distance, making the sky orange.BBC
Smoke was visible in the air in Gloucestershire on Sunday

Wildfires are an "emerging threat" to the fire service, a fire chief has warned, after a Welsh blaze blew smoke and ash into the West Country.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service dealt with more than a hundred calls on Sunday from people who could smell smoke, with crews dispatched across the county to try to find the source.

It later transpired it was being blown across the border from a moorland fire near Llangynidr Reservoir.

Asked whether he was concerned a similar fire could break out in the fire service's patch, group manager Richard Jackson Lockyer said: "[We're] very worried. It's an emerging threat to the fire service."

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South Wales Fire and Rescue Service first reported a moorland fire near the reservoir in south Wales on Saturday afternoon.

Smoke has been blown over the Bristol Channel and there have been reports of ash falling from the sky in Quedgeley.

A helicopter was dispatched to tackle the flames on Sunday and firefighters are expected to be on the scene for several more days.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service An image taken from the air shows huge clouds of smoke rising from a wildfire in the near distance. Wind blows it from left to right across the image. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
The wildfire by Llangynidr Reservoir in Wales has been declared a major incident

"At one point we had over a hundred calls being dealt with by our control room," Jackson Lockyer said.

"Most of the county at one point was out trying to search for any sign of fire."

When firefighters found nothing, it became clear the source was the Welsh blaze.

Jackson Lockyer said the service was prepared for a similar situation in Gloucestershire.

"We have now got a number of trained officers to deal with wildfires across the county," he added.

A photograph taken in the early morning shows a clear haze in the air, over rural fields. The sky is orange with the sunrise.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service dealt with more than 100 calls on Sunday about smoke in the air

Responding to similar reports of smoke in Bristol, North Somerset and Frome, Avon Fire and Rescue Service said they were aware of the issue and also believed the source to be the fire in Wales.

A spokesman said: "Where smoke is particularly noticeable, residents may wish to keep windows and doors closed where possible as a precaution.

"With the current dry weather and increased risk of fire, we are urging residents to remain vigilant and take extra care to help prevent fires.

"Anyone who sees or suspects a fire should call 999 immediately and ask for the fire and rescue service."

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