Emergency services in North Wales declared a major incident on Sunday as firefighters grappled with a large wildfire on Conwy Mountain. The blaze prompted the evacuation of residents near the mountain and the Sychnant Pass, with the public urged to avoid the area.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported challenging conditions and expected operations to continue for some time. Residents in the nearby village of Capelulo were advised to evacuate, while those in surrounding communities were cautioned to close windows and doors due to smoke and to seek medical advice for breathing difficulties. The service also responded to multiple grass fires elsewhere in the region, including in Braichmelyn Forest in Bethesda.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of wildfires affecting the United Kingdom. Over the weekend, significant fires burned in Greater Manchester near Dovestone Reservoir, in Hampshire near Blackwater, Camberley, and across various counties including Durham, Derbyshire, East Sussex, West Sussex, Devon, and Somerset. A large heathland fire in Camberley, which began Saturday afternoon, covered approximately 10 hectares (25 acres) and required crews to monitor hotspots overnight.
The fires occurred during a period of record-breaking heat and an "exceptional" risk warning for wildfires. Natural England indicated that southern England and parts of the south Midlands faced the highest wildfire risk, with many other areas in England and Wales at "very high" risk.
The UK is bracing for a second week of temperatures exceeding the heatwave threshold, with amber and yellow heat health alerts issued for the coming days. Fire services in Greater Manchester warned that high winds could carry smoke significant distances, advising residents to keep windows closed and avoid affected areas. Crews continued to battle the blaze near Dovestone Reservoir on Sunday afternoon.