UK wildfires live: Flames rage near Shrewsbury as major incident declared in Wales

UK wildfires live: Flames rage near Shrewsbury as major incident declared in Wales Firefighters are battling wildfires in Shropshire and at Llanwonno, above the Rhondda, with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service declaring a major incident over the blaze Firefighters are tackling a massive blaze near Shrewsbury, while crews in South Wales have declared a major incident as they battle a raging blaze near homes. The blaze at Battlefield Heritage Park, a country park north of Shrewsbury, broke out this afternoon. It is understood to be just a few fields away from the site associated with the 1403 Battle of Shrewsbury, fought between King Henry IV and a rebel army led by Henry "Harry Hotspur" Percy. Meanwhile, crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are battling a wildfire in the Llanwonno, above the Rhondda. The blaze, which began on Saturday afternoon, has already scorched around 150 hectares of land - roughly the size of 210 football pitches. No homes have been evacuated, but Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said a rest centre has been set up at a local sports centre for people who do not wish to remain in their homes as smoke chokes the area. Key Events Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said this afternoon that crews are responding to reports of a wildfire at Battlefield Heritage Park, a country park north of Shrewsbury. The park is home to the site associated with the 1403 Battle of Shrewsbury, fought between King Henry IV and a rebel army led by Henry "Harry Hotspur" Percy. The blaze is understood to just a few fields away from the historic battlefield. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said in an update this morning that crews are continuing to work at the scene of a "significant wildfire" in the Rhondda area. The fire service said: "The fire, which began on Saturday afternoon, has affected forestry plantation land and common land, involving bracken, scrub and vegetation across an area estimated at around 150 hectares at its largest extent. "Crews have been working continuously in challenging conditions on steep and difficult terrain, creating and maintaining firebreaks to contain the spread of the fire and protect nearby communities. "While firefighters made good progress in reducing the size of the fire, changing wind conditions on Sunday evening led to an increase in firefighting activity and resources. Local communities may experience smoke from the fire over the coming days. "We have declared it a major incident as it requires a greater demand on our resources and as such more coordination. There are currently 20 fire engines at the scene, supported by two specialist wildfire teams, senior officers, a high-volume pumping unit and drone capability. "Firefighters are being supported by partner agencies including Natural Resources Wales, South Wales Police, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and health partners, with agencies working together to monitor the situation and coordinate their response. "A rest centre has been set up for residents of Blaenllechau/Ferndale at Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre. Residents are not currently being asked to evacuate their homes, but the rest centre has been set up for those who do not wish to remain in their homes because of poor air quality caused by the fire. "The incident is expected to continue for a number of days and further updates will be provided as the situation develops. "We want to reassure the public that all our crews have the support they need to deal with wildfire, and while we are grateful for community support, we don’t need any refreshments or donations at the scene. We would prefer it if you avoided the incident area and stay safe. "If people feel that they want to donate, we work very closely with the Firefighters Charity who support members of the community and their families with wellbeing and practical support when it's needed most."