Helicopter brought in to tackle wildfire as blaze seen from space

Satellite images have captured plumes of smoke and the damage caused by a wildfire in north Wales, as a firefighting helicopter was deployed following calls for aerial support.

Data gathered by BBC Verify suggests an estimated 951 hectares (2,350 acres) of the Rhinogydd mountains in Gwynedd have been devastated by a wildfire that broke out earlier this month.

Nasa's satellite-based fire monitoring system has also detected heat signatures from four areas of Wales where wildfires have recently occurred.

It is also showing heat sources at Blaenavon in Torfaen, Presteigne in Powys, and Pentre Halkyn in Flintshire.

On Wednesday, the Welsh government activated "crisis management arrangements" to tackle the wildfires that have broken out across Wales during the recent hot weather.

North Wales and the Upper Severn became the first part of the UK to declare drought status on Thursday, after widespread dry weather and record-breaking heatwaves in June and July.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said a specialist firefighting helicopter was deployed to Rhinogydd on Friday morning, following calls for "aerial support".

The aircraft is currently on site, and will support the fire service as teams continue to tackle the mountain blaze on the ground.

The wildfire has been burning across Rhinogydd for more than a week.

NRW said the helicopter was being deployed "to support the response in the Rhinogydd", adding its availability would continue to be assessed "in line with operational needs across Wales and the wider UK".

"Should other fire and rescue service require aerial support for incidents in their area, we will remain in close contact to understand those needs and consider how best to assist alongside partner agencies," NRW said.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said "given the scale and complexity" of the fire, staff will remain at the site for the next couple of days".

In north Wales, the first signs of the fire from the Rhinogydd mountain were visible in satellite images from 13 July.

Members of the public have been urged to avoid areas affected by the wildfires, after reports that some people who travelled to them needed emergency rescue assistance.

Ch Insp Ian Roberts, of North Wales Police, said ignoring road closures and police cordons was "dangerous and may constitute a criminal offence".

"Anyone entering restricted areas or failing to follow police directions could be subject to enforcement action," he added.

Wales' local government minister Siân Gwenllian said the fires at Rhinogydd and Blaenavon were the most "significant wildfire incidents in Wales".

She said: "Both remain active and are being managed reflecting the efforts of those involved.

"Other wildfires have been successfully brought under control and are now being monitored and dampened down - demonstrating both the hard work, expertise and professionalism of our fire service."

On Thursday night, emergency services said they were aware of a fire on Kilvey Hill in Swansea.

Anyone nearby should keep their windows and doors closed because of the smoke, they warned.

Meanwhile, smoke from the fire at Blaenavon, which covers 220 hectares (543 acres), travelled as far as Cardiff.

Gwenllian said the blaze had been "the priority for ground operations" as firefighters and NRW remained on site in "challenging conditions".

She added the fire had "produced a significant amount of smoke", but officials confirmed there was "currently no threat to life or property".

"The fire is expected to continue burning for several days, and firefighters remain at the scene to prevent it spreading further and putting lives, wildlife and property at risk," she said.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said the Met Office expected the plume of smoke would settle lower overnight, after being sent east towards Newport earlier on Thursday.

Residents said the smoke had caused a "fogginess" and "acrid smell" stretching for several miles between Torfaen and Pontypool.

SWFRS warned residents to keep windows and doors closed, and advised commuters to switch air conditioning to recirculation mode in their vehicles.

The fire service said it had cut a full perimeter line around the incident.

"This offers a line of protection with the aim of keeping the incident contained, supported by two additional water bowsers from partners and contractors," it said.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews continued to monitor the situation in Capelulo, near Sychnant Pass, in the wake of a large grass fire on Conwy Mountain.

Elsewhere, firefighters have tackled fires at Hope Mountain and Brymbo, in Wrexham county, Pentrefelin, Holyhead, and Pentre Halkyn overlooking the A55 in Flintshire.

The fire service said they were continuing to oversee conditions as a precaution, with teams from Mid and West Wales Fire Service on hand to help.

Mid and West Wales Fire Service said it was tackling a blaze about the size of 120 football pitches - 90 hectares - in the Presteigne area on Thursday morning.

It said that crews were monitoring hotspots in the fire at Hanter Hill, in Gladestry, Powys.

Additional reporting by Alex Murray, BBC Verify