Firefighters spend fifth day tackling Elan Valley wildfires as a helicopter targets hard to reach areas

Firefighters have spent a fifth day tackling wildfires spreading across a mid-Wales beauty spot.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews have been responding to the fires in and around the Elan Valley area, in Powys, since Sunday.

The incident is on-going on Thursday with crews and partner agencies still on the ground.

A firefighting helicopter deployed on Wednesday to drop water on high risk areas continues to carry out targeted drops to suppress the fire in difficult to access, high conservation areas.

The fire-affected areas support vulnerable nesting birds, sensitive peat habitats, small mammals, and rare plant life.

National Trust Cymru has also confirmed that Hafod Estate near Cwmystwyth has been closed to the public as a precaution until further notice.

Firefighters are currently responding to the fires near Claerwen Reservoir and Teifi Pools, and have urged people not to visit the area.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said a helicopter had been deployed to drop water onto the wildfires because of a high risk to nature and lack of significant rainfall over the coming days.

Richard Preece, duty tactical manager Wales at NRW, said the current dry weather has "significantly increased the fire risk".

"The helicopter is expected to carry out targeted water drops on the Elan Valley wildfire to extinguish or lessen the impacts of the fire," he said.

A spokesperson for National Trust Cymru said: "We are aware of a wildfire burning on land neighbouring the Hafod Estate in Mid Wales and have taken the precautionary measure to close the estate to visitors until further notice.

"Our ranger teams are in contact with the local fire service and monitoring the situation closely."

Public health advice remains in place due to smoke from grass and wildfire activity.

If you are affected by smoke in the area, stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed. If you are travelling in areas affected by grass fire smoke, keep windows and air vents closed, turn off air conditioning. If you are concerned about symptoms caused by grass fire smoke call NHS 111 Wales or visit https://111.wales.nhs.uk/

The public are asked to avoid the area while the incident is ongoing to allow emergency services to operate safely - Do not drive to or near the site, this puts you at risk and emergency responders.

Elan Valley is home to 70 sq miles (181 sq km) of land consisting of dams, reservoirs and rugged landscapes.

It is home to four dams - Craig Goch, Garreg Ddu, Pen y Garreg and Caban Coch - which were built more than 120 years ago to supply clean water to Birmingham, then later to mid and south Wales.

With dry conditions continuing, all agencies are urging the public to act responsibly and be #WildfireWise / #DoethiDanauGwyllt:

· Never light fires in the countryside

· Avoid disposable BBQs unless permitted, don’t leave them unattended and make sure they are fully out before you leave

· Take litter home - glass can magnify the sun and start a fire

· Report any signs of fire immediately by calling 999.