Wildfire smoke seen 70 miles away after major moorland blaze breaks out

A moorland wildfire has been declared a major incident because of the number of resources required to fight it, including a helicopter.

It is helping crews who have been fighting the blaze near Llangynidr Reservoir, Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent, since Friday.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said conditions had been a "challenge due to the wind".

Its firefighters have been assisting teams from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service in tackling the blaze overnight.

Smoke drifted as far as Gloucestershire, prompting several calls to the fire service from people who feared another blaze had broken out nearby.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service dispatched multiple crews across the county on Sunday to investigate reports of fires before determining that the smoke had travelled from Blaenau Gwent.

Specialist contractors and partner agencies have also been involved in the operation.

Appliances including all-terrain vehicles and high-volume pumps have also been brought in.

"As part of our ongoing assessment of the incident, weather conditions and the resources needed, a specialist firefighting helicopter is now supporting crews on the ground," SWFRS said on Sunday afternoon.

"We expect to be at the scene for a few days and we will continue to review our response daily as conditions change."

The fire remains ongoing and SWFRS crews have been at the scene all weekend, containing the spread of the blaze.

On Sunday morning, the fire was reported to have covered around three hundred hectares, with a perimeter of around seven kilometres in total.

Nick Rees, Western Divisional Commander for Mid & West Fire & Rescue Service, said it was "envisioning a busy ongoing week" with the potential for "wildfires across the country".

He said one of the main challenges crews are facing is the wind.

"We are very much susceptible to the change in wind conditions, which can push the fire and particularly the smoke into different directions," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

Due to changes in the direction of the wind on Monday morning, communities towards Blaenavon, Brynmawr, Pontypool and Newport are being affected by the smoke.

People in the affected areas have been told to keep their windows and doors closed and seek medical advice if needed.

Llangynidr Road has been closed and Dyfed-Powys Police have advised people to avoid the area.