Major incident declared in Wales as firefighters tackle wildfires across UK

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Major incident declared in Wales as firefighters tackle wildfires across UKImage source, RITA RAWEILYImage caption, Emergency services in Wales have been trying to contain the fireByAmy WalkerPublished12 minutes agoA large-scale wildfire in north Wales as been declared a major incident by emergency services, as firefighters tackle fires across England and Wales during the record-breaking heatwave. Residents near Conwy Mountain and the Sychnant Pass have been evacuated, while members of the public were warned to avoid the area. In Greater Manchester, fire crews are working to contain a moorland fire near a reservoir, while in Camberley, Hampshire, crews are extinguishing a large heathland fire.

Wildfires burned in County Durham, Derbyshire, East Sussex, West Sussex, Devon and Somerset over the weekend, during a warning that parts of the country were facing an "exceptional" risk for fires. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said in an update on Sunday afternoon that it was working in "challenging conditions" in order to contain the Conwy Mountain fire, with operations "expected to continue for some time". Residents in the village of Capelulo, near the mountain, were advised by the town council to "leave safely and follow the instructions of the emergency services on scene".

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Those in nearby communities have been advised to keep windows and doors closed and seek medical advice if they experience breathing difficulties. The service later said it was also responding to a number of grass fire incidents, including in Braichmelyn Forest in Bethesda. Natural England, external said southern England and pockets of the south Midlands were at the highest wildfire risk over the next few days, while many other areas in England and Wales were at "very high" risk.

Parts of the UK are set to enter a second week of temperatures above the heatwave threshold, with amber and yellow heat health alerts issued for between Sunday night and Wednesday night. Major incident declared as mountain wildfire evacuates residentsMassive wildfire hits fields near sports groundCrews still tackling hot spots at heathland fireGreater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said on X on Sunday afternoon that firefighters were at a moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir. "Due to high winds, smoke from the fire may travel significant distances," it said, warning residents in surrounding areas to keep windows and doors closed and others to avoid the area.

Crews are expected to remain at the scene of a large heathland fire in Blackwater, Camberley on Sunday evening, as they continue to monitor for remaining hotspots after working overnight to bring the fire under control. The wildfire broke out on Saturday afternoon and spread across about 10 hectares (25 acres) of heathland near the Surrey border. Image caption, A wildfire as large as 14 football pitches hit fields in County Durham on Sunday Over in County Durham, a wildfire as large as 14 football pitches hit fields near Durham University.

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