No helicopters to fight wildfires as 'crisis management' plans activated in Wales

No helicopters to fight wildfires as 'crisis management' plans activated To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, Aerial view of the wildfires in Trawsfynydd ByNicholas BourneBBC WalesPublished22 July 2026, 17:14 BSTUpdated Just nowThe Welsh government has activated "crisis management arrangements" due to the number of wildfires across the nation.It comes amid criticism from residents over a lack of resources like helicopters to tackle the fires, some of which have been burning for days across north and south Wales.The Welsh government said North Wales Fire and Rescue had received extra resources but aerial support was not available anywhere in the UK.However, it said "urgent discussions are now underway both within Wales and at a UK level to identify how this can be resolved".Meanwhile, firefighters are tackling a big blaze in south Wales for a third day, with the smoke travelling 30 miles (48km) away.Image source, Caroline MasonImage caption, The scale of the mountain fire near Trawsfynydd has prompted people to call for helicopters to be brought in to help fight the flames A 4,000-name petition calling for aerial help was prompted by one fire spreading into Coed y Brenin in Conwy county.The Welsh government said the most effective means of fighting wildfires "was at ground level, and that is exactly what our firefighters are doing with great skill and dedication".North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were continuing to deal with a wildfire at Capelulo near Sychnant Pass, in the wake of a large grass fire on Conwy Mountain.There is also a multi-agency response following a blaze on Rhinogydd mountains in Gwynedd, where householders have been advised to keep windows and doors closed.Elsewhere, firefighters are dealing with grass fires at Hope Mountain and Brymbo in Wrexham county, Pentrefelin, Holyhead, and Pentre Halkyn, overlooking the A55 in Flints...