FIRE chiefs have thanked the local community for helping them during their battle to put out a huge woodland blaze at Cwm Rheidol.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are continuing to visit and monitor the site of a wildfire at Cwm Rheidol, which first ignited just before 11.30am on Tuesday, 26 June.

Area manager Simon Jenkins said the fire was “challenging” for them and he was “proud” of those who helped put out the blaze.

He said: “The complexity and hazards presented to our firefighters at Cwm Rheidol have made fighting this fire particularly challenging.

“The location of the fire, in a steep and heavily wooded valley, has made it very difficult for our crews to access the fire; whilst the hot temperatures, dry conditions and swirling winds have made reignition difficult to prevent. The services of a national asset helicopter has, therefore, been invaluable during this incident.

“I’m extremely proud of our control staff and firefighters, who have worked tirelessly over the past week to bring the fire under control, working in very challenging conditions to monitor and dampen down hot spots at Cwm Rheidol.

“On behalf of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service I would like to thank the staff at the Vale of Rheidol Railway, who have selflessly supported us during this incident. They have greatly assisted us by transporting our firefighters to different locations of the Rheidol Valley, which are inaccessible for our vehicles, to fight the fire.

“We are also grateful to the local community, particularly the agricultural community, for their outstanding support. The local farmers have willingly volunteered their assets to assist in the firefighting operation, even though this has meant that they have put their own work, for example on the silage, on hold.

“The community have looked after us during this incident, keeping us fed and watered during this tough operation."

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