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Firefighters tackle several wildfires across Wales

Andy Gourlay
BBC News
The grass fire in Mynydd Gelliwastad could be seen from the M4

Firefighters across south, mid and north Wales tackled several separate grass fires on Tuesday.

One of the biggest was at Mynydd Gelliwastad near Clydach, with 20 hectares of gorse set alight just after 19:00 GMT, according to Mid and West Wales Fire Service.

The fire was so large it could be seen from the M4 and parts of Swansea, and crew said they received more than 160 emergency calls about it.

Crews from Morriston, Neath, Ammanford and Pontardawe were sent to tackle the blaze which was finally extinguished just after midnight.

Athena Picture Agency Picture of an orange glowing grassfire in the dark sky, which can be seen on the mountains behind a residential area. Several houses can be seen below, with their windows lit up. Street lights illuminate the roads, where cars can be seen parked on pavements. One car can be seen driving down a street with headlights on. Athena Picture Agency
North Wales fire service said they fielded calls from south Wales as it was so busy

There were concerns from some residents that it looked near to Morriston Hospital, but firefighters confirmed there was no risk to anyone.

Elsewhere crews had a busy night with another large grass fire in Ferndale and Maerdy mountain, and others in Caerphilly, Ogmore Vale, Gelli Pentre and Fairwood Common Swansea.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said "it was pretty non-stop".

Athena Picture Agency Picture of an orange glowing wall of grass fire ripping across a mountain in the darkness. Flames can be seen tearing through grass, with clouds of smoke rising behind it. Athena Picture Agency
Grass fires occur in areas where the dominant vegetation is grass

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service also said it had some gorse fire last night, including a large one at Garreg Fawr Llanfairfechan, which was left to burn out.

The fire service said it also fielded calls from south Wales because it was so busy.