Conwy wildfire at Sychnant Pass expected to spread in heatwave

Firefighters are expecting a wildfire, which has already forced many residents to flee their homes, to spread because of the heatwave.

Crews remain at the scene after the fire near Conwy Mountain and the Sychnant Pass in Conwy county broke out on Sunday.

Anthony Jones, assistant chief fire officer for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, told Radio 4's Today programme the service dealt with a "serious number of significant incidents over north Wales" and declared a major incident on Sunday afternoon.

Jones said the services expected to be in the area for "some time", and that about 200 acres of land had been affected with a fire front of about 1.6km at the height of the incident.

One family evacuated from their home said the fire reached their driveway, coming within 200 metres of their house.

The fire service has urged people to avoid the area, and told residents in nearby communities to keep windows and doors shut.

Speaking to Radio Wales Breakfast, Llinos Evans from North Wales Fire and Rescue said it evacuated 36 properties in Capelulo yesterday as a safety precaution.

She added that at any one time the service have had eight fire appliances, four narrow access vehicles and two wildfire units.

Michelle Campbell, 44, her husband Ben, 46, and their three sons fled their home in Capelulo as the fire reached their property.

"The sound was worse than anything. It was so loud, the crackling. You could hear it coming down the mountain," said Ben.

He said he received a missed call at 04:30, but 30 minutes later a neighbour banged on their door and said: "The mountain's on fire above your house."

The couple and their three boys – aged three, seven and eight – initially moved to a holiday rental they own nearby, but were forced to leave that when the fire approached.

They have now rented a property on Anglesey for this week, and are awaiting an update on their home.

"We have no idea what the situation is," Michelle said.

"But we're safe, and the boys are okay. And we're insured."

The couple said a river runs near their property, and fire crews were using it to pump water to fight the fire.

Firefighters have been working in "challenging conditions" in order to contain the fire and protect local communities, said Jami Jennings, from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

"Wildfires can spread rapidly, particularly during periods of hot, dry and windy weather," Jennings said.

"We continue to ask everyone to act responsibly by avoiding the use of disposable barbecues, ensuring cigarettes are fully extinguished and reporting any signs of fire immediately by calling 999."

Michelle Campbell described the fire as "really scary"

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was alerted to the fire around 02:15 BST on Sunday morning, while local resident Rita Raweily said she was awoken to the sound of her dog "barking wildly".

"I got ready, threw some clothes on and went to see if there was anything I could do to help," she added.

The volunteer community coordinator said there was a smell of burning in the air that got worse as the wind picked up and the area was "really smoky".

"That whole area near the house is an evacuation zone and we don't know when we are going home," she said.

Raweily said she had "no idea" what condition her house was in but she hoped "all will be well".

"I don't think we are getting back in the house tonight. It is really worrying," she added.

One person had been taken to hospital so far, she said, but "everyone is safe".

Raweily advised people to follow the instructions provided by the emergency services, who have been "brilliant", she said.

"Houses can be replaced, people can't," she added.

Cathy Augustine, county councillor for Penmaenmawr, said: "It's incredibly sad for all of us here that the fire is in the very special Carneddau landscape, including the lovely Pensychnant conservation centre.

"Not only is it very beautiful for us but it's also really difficult terrain for the firefighters to work in, as well as being home to important wildlife."

Augustine said volunteers had been out looking after the wild ponies in the area.

She added residents at any homes identified as being at risk will be contacted directly by the fire service and police, and that the council had opened a rest centre.

On Sunday evening, North Wales Fire Service said crews were also responding to a number of grass fires on Halkyn Mountain, in Flintshire, and the Braichmelyn Forest in Bethesda, Gwynedd.

It comes as most of Wales is deemed to be of "very high risk" of wildfires in the coming days.

Forecasters have said parts of the country will remain extremely hot and dry in the coming days as the country swelters in the third heatwave of the year.