Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

More than 40 hectares of grassland has been destroyed after a wildfire broke out in Cwmfelinfach on Wednesday afternoon.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) was called to the area at around 2.35pm on April 2.

Fire crews from Aberbargoed, Caerphilly, Abertillery, Malpas, and Aberdare were deployed with specialist equipment.

The fire raged for several hours, and was fully extinguished just after midnight.

In a statement, SWFRS said: “The wildfire destroyed approximately 40 hectares of grass, bracken, and trees.

“Crews extinguished the fire, hotspots and flames were visible in the burnt area of the fire for several hours.”

The area was re-inspected by the fire service on Thursday morning.

It was the latest in a recent spate of wildfires, with areas including Llanbradach, Pontlottyn, and Rhymney all affected in recent weeks.

Regarding the cause of these fires, SWFRS said it was “collaborating with our colleagues in Gwent Police and South Wales Police and this is ongoing at this time”.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the fire service said: “In relation to the recent spate of wildfires we’re seeing across our service area, we ask members of the public to dial 999 if their lives or property are in danger.

“We will not discourage anyone from contacting emergency services if they believe there is a requirement for us to attend, however, for wildfire we are asking the public to check official SWFRS social media as we may be in attendance dealing with the incident already as these fires are protracted.

“If we are in attendance at protracted incidents and multiple calls are received, our joint fire control will ask British Telecom to assist in reducing over a hundred or more repeat calls.”

The statement added: “We would like to take this opportunity to advise our communities that if they smell smoke then close doors and windows, and if you believe you are in danger than to call emergency services.”