‘It’s been very tough’: hope of progress in gruelling battle against south Wales wildfire

The Guardian World Sunday 16 August 2026, 18:27 UTC By Bethan McKernan Wales correspondent 1 min read

Key Points

Efforts of emergency services and military in Blaenavon appear to be working but there are fears for the futureMore than three weeks after it began burning and two days after the military deployed to the area, there is hope that the huge wildfire on the hillside above the Ebbw valley village of Blaenavon may finally be coming under control. Emergency workers and soldiers described a gruelling battle against the deep-seated peat fire that has spread over 4,000 hectares (9,800 acres), putting...

Efforts of emergency services and military in Blaenavon appear to be working but there are fears for the future

More than three weeks after it began burning and two days after the military deployed to the area, there is hope that the huge wildfire on the hillside above the Ebbw valley village of Blaenavon may finally be coming under control.

Emergency workers and soldiers described a gruelling battle against the deep-seated peat fire that has spread over 4,000 hectares (9,800 acres), putting lives, farmland and property at risk.

Wales (LOCATION) Blaenavon (ORG) Ebbw valley (LOCATION)

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‘It’s been very tough’: hope of progress in gruelling battle against south Wales wildfire

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