Soldiers praised for ‘phenomenal job’ helping crews tackle wildfires

Military Personnel Deployed to South Wales Wildfire Response

Ninoda.com – Roughly 200 soldiers from the 10 Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment have joined a broader military effort of around 200 personnel assisting fire crews battling blazes across south Wales. Backing them are 22 Royal Engineers, units of the Royal Logistics Corps, and Army helicopters.

Fin Monahan, chief fire officer for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the force is operating under extreme strain. He acknowledged gratitude toward seven additional fire services dispatched from London, Cumbria, and other regions to supplement local crews.

Military Role in Firefighting Operations

Monahan explained to the BBC that both the UK and Welsh governments made “a very serious step” by authorising military deployment. The additional capacity was essential while crews contended with dozens of simultaneous fires nationwide. He noted his firefighters possess “very specialist skills” for wildfire response, and that military assistance allowed him to concentrate those capabilities where they were most needed.

Soldiers have been assigned logistical duties such as water distribution alongside the firefighting teams. Monahan characterised their contribution in strong terms:

“doing an utterly phenomenal job digging trenches and also helping us build fire breaks”

He added that this ground work freed up firefighters to return to their core specialist tasks.

Fires Across South Wales

On Sunday, approximately 14 distinct blazes were being addressed across the region. Mid and West Wales Fire Rescue Service reported active operations at Rhandirmwyn and Ammanford in Carmarthenshire, as well as Hay-on-Wye and Brecon in Powys. Crews also responded to incidents in Gorseinon, Swansea, and Tenby in Pembrokeshire, plus a smoke event in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.

Crews based at Hay-on-Wye Fire Station have been posting updates from their operations on Facebook.

MP Reaction

Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, described a blaze in Treherbert, Rhondda Cynon Taf, as “appalling” and expressed thanks to London crews who arrived to assist. In a post on X on Saturday he wrote:

“Thankfully, there are fire engines from all over the UK and two helicopters have been in place all afternoon.”

He continued:

“I’m immensely impressed by the fire workers. But this can’t be our new normal.”

Water Logistics Under Strain

Monahan highlighted the work of the Royal Logistics Corps and Royal Engineers in keeping crews supplied with water. Because the Welsh water infrastructure is itself under pressure, military units are transporting large volumes of water from areas where supply remains available toward active fire fronts.

“That’s something people probably aren’t aware of.”

National Emergency Alert

The UK government issued a national emergency fire alert to mobile phones across England and Wales on Friday. Monahan called the transmission “absolutely necessary” but voiced frustration that some residents still failed to grasp the risks.

“Even after that transmission, I stopped and found someone who was burning tyres underneath a tree. This is irresponsible behaviour.”