Forest fires hit Cwmcarn trail centre in South Wales
Extreme hot and dry weather has led to grass fire
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While the recent hot weather has been pretty pleasant for riding a bike in, it's also been the cause of a number of significant wildfires across the country. Cwmcarn Forest Drive in South Wales, home of the Twrch trail amongst others has been the latest to suffer. It looks like the forest at Cwmcarn is on fire again, we saw the following posted on Cwmcarn Trail Builders Facebook page late last night.
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The photo was posted on Facebook was accompanied by the text "Here we go again, looks like its started over again more rain needed ASAP". Comment below the post seem to indicate this is arson and there are police involved to investigate. Facebook post is here.
Some drone footage of the fire has also emerged. For a full update, please read the original article below.
Original article, published 16th July 2018:
Having started as a small grass fire on Friday, the blaze quickly spread due to the extremely dry conditions on Twmbarlwm hillside, leading firefighters to request that riders - and everyone else - avoid the area. As of today, Wales Online reports that the blaze is still going with fire crews working to contain it.
The Cwmdown MTB Uplifts, which operates in the area, has had to cancel planned sessions and their Facebook page is full of video and images of the blaze, which could apparently be seen clearly at night from Newport, some six miles away.
Local people and businesses have chipped in to provide the firefighters with cold drinks and snacks. It's just one of a number of blazes in the area being fought by South Wales Fire and Rescue, who are recommending that people avoid having any sort of fire due to the extremely dry conditions.
Open MTB has this advice for what to do if you find a wildfire: "You should immediately get to a safe place. Wildfires can spread quickly and move in unpredictable ways. Get further away than you think you need to, putting a natural fire-break between you and the blaze if possible. Note your location, find an information board with a map if you need to and keep an eye out for fire control signs or hydrants. Dial 999 and ask the operator for the fire and rescue service. Pass on the details of the location and size of the fire. Then meet the fire crews at an arranged point, perhaps a car park or entrance road."
It's not known how the fire at Cwmcarn started, nor what the damage to the trails might be, though we've reached out to Natural Resources Wales for comment.
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