Petition calling for urgent aerial support for Rhinogydd wildfire passes 2000 signatures

A public petition calling for the immediate deployment of aerial firefighting support to tackle the devastating wildfire in the Rhinogydd has passed 2000 signatures within hours of being launched, as concern grows over the impact on wildlife, local communities and critical infrastructure.

The petition urges Natural Resources Wales, the Welsh Government, the UK Government, the Armed Forces and emergency services to urgently deploy helicopters or water-bombing aircraft, either through private contractors or Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA), to help contain the blaze.

The fire, which has spread across the internationally important Rhinogydd landscape and is now moving towards Coed y Brenin and Trawsfynydd nuclear power station,  is destroying protected habitats and species while placing enormous pressure on firefighters working in extremely challenging conditions. 

The petition was launched by local ecologist Angharad Evans, who has lived in Meirionnydd for much of her life.

Angharad Evans, ecologist and petition organiser the creator of the petition stated: 

I am an Ecologist who has grown up in the Meironnydd area of North West Wales and currently live within miles of the fire. It is devastating to see our natural environment being harmed by this wildfire that was allegedly started by an irresponsible wildcamper. Protected sites, species, and habitats are being destroyed. Not only is this impacting our vital ecosystems and the wildlife that calls it home, but it is also posing serious risks to human health and safety.

The ongoing wildfire in the Rhinogydd area is causing a severe threat. The fire continues to spread dangerously, and our courageous firefighters on the ground are doing everything they can. However, they desperately need aerial support to effectively combat and contain these intense flames.

Aerial firefighting resources, such as water-bombing aircraft and helicopters, are proven to be highly effective in managing and extinguishing wildfires swiftly. These resources can access remote and rugged terrains, dropping water and fire retardant directly on the fire’s critical areas, something that ground forces might struggle with in vast and challenging landscapes like Rhinogydd.”

The petition highlights that aerial firefighting resources are routinely used around the world to combat wildfires in inaccessible terrain, enabling rapid water drops onto active fire fronts and helping slow the spread while protecting firefighters on the ground.

Campaigners warn that the fire is now threatening wider areas of woodland and note that the region lies close to nationally significant energy infrastructure, including hydroelectric facilities and the Trawsfynydd nuclear site. With reservoirs and lakes nearby providing potential water sources, they argue aerial operations should be urgently explored.

Gareth Tovey Fire Brigades Union, said:

“In 2025, fire and rescue services across Wales attended 3,474 grass fire incidents, a 275% increase on the previous year. Firefighters are on the frontline of the climate crisis, tackling blazes that are becoming more frequent, more intense and more difficult to control.

Our firefighters are doing an extraordinary job, but they need the resources to do it safely and effectively. That means sustained investment in frontline crews, specialist wildfire training, modern equipment, dedicated wildfire vehicles, improved communications, and access to aerial firefighting support when conditions demand it. Communities cannot be protected if emergency services are expected to do more with less.

Since 2010, the UK has lost one in five firefighter jobs and dozens of fire stations have closed. Wales must ensure its fire and rescue services have the funding, people and equipment they need to meet the growing threat posed by climate-driven wildfires.

At the same time, no amount of emergency response can keep pace with worsening climate impacts unless governments tackle the root cause. That means bold action to rapidly reduce fossil fuel emissions while investing in resilience so firefighters and communities are better prepared for the extreme weather of the future.”

Stan Townsend, Head of Advocacy, Climate Cymru said

“The scale of these wildfires demands an urgent national response. Our firefighters are showing incredible courage, but they cannot be expected to face increasingly intense and frequent wildfires without the resources to do their job safely

Sadly it’s not just North Wales, I woke up last night to the smell of smoke, many miles away from a fire near Blaenavon.

This needs to be a wake up call, these wildfires are not normal, and Wales receiving 5% of the expected rainfall for July is not normal.

We urgently need to improve Wales’ response to the growing threat of wildfires, double down on reducing the impacts of climate change,  and ensure the right support available to our emergency services”

The petition calls for:

• The immediate assessment and deployment of aerial firefighting resources.
• Full coordination between Natural Resources Wales, the Welsh Government, UK Government, Armed Forces and emergency services.
• A long-term review of Wales’ wildfire preparedness as climate change increases the risk of prolonged and intense fires.

Campaigners say every additional signature strengthens the call for immediate action to protect one of Wales’ most important landscapes, its wildlife and the communities living nearby.