GOWER: Fire crews tackle two wildfires in 24 hours -Fairwood Common and Cefn Bryn – as bank holiday fire risk soars

Fire crews have tackled two major wildfires on the Gower Peninsula within 24 hours, with blazes breaking out at both Fairwood Common and Cefn Bryn as Natural Resources Wales warns of peak bank holiday fire risk.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service say that the first fire broke out at Fairwood Common at 7.50pm on Wednesday 29 April, when a crew from Swansea West Fire Station tackled a wildfire across approximately four hectares of grass, bracken and trees. Strong winds and difficult terrain hampered progress. The crew left the scene at 10:08pm

The fire service said that a larger fire then broke out on Cefn Bryn at 1.10pm on Thursday 30 April — crews from Swansea Central, Swansea West and Reynoldston were called to a wildfire across approximately 35 hectares of grass and gorse, using three hose reel jets alongside wildfire beaters and blowers. They left the scene at 5.14pm.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews faced difficult conditions at both incidents. “This incident was especially challenging as strong winds and terrain hampered the progress made by crew members,” the spokesperson said of the Fairwood Common fire.

Dramatic aerial images taken by Sol Cinema show a wide fire front tearing across the dry grassland of the common, with a thick wall of orange flame and a huge plume of grey smoke visible for miles around. Fairwood Airport sits nearby on the common.

It comes as Natural Resources Wales warns that the May bank holiday weekend brings some of the highest wildfire risk of the year – with dry conditions, warm temperatures and thousands of extra visitors heading to open countryside creating the perfect conditions for fires to take hold and spread fast.

Gower has been hit by a string of devastating grass fires in recent months. In April, seven fire crews fought a 120-hectare blaze on Cefn Bryn as high winds turned the fire into a monster. In February 2025, firefighters were called to two separate 100-hectare fires on Gower in a single day, and Bishopston Community Council launched an emergency appeal after a fifth woodland fire broke out in the area within weeks.

Tonight’s fire adds to the pressure on a fire service already stretched by the huge commercial waste fire still burning at Water Street in Port Talbot, which has had multiple appliances tied up since yesterday.

Fairwood Common is part of the Gower National Landscape – the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which this month celebrates its 70th anniversary. Its dry grass and heathland make it one of the most fire-prone stretches of land in south Wales, particularly during warm bank holiday weekends when visitor numbers spike.

Natural Resources Wales urges anyone heading to the countryside this weekend not to light open fires or disposable barbecues on commons, moorland or woodland. Any fire should be reported immediately by calling 999.

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Gower: Seven fire crews tackle 120-hectare blaze on Cefn Bryn as windy conditions hamper efforts
Our coverage of the major Cefn Bryn fire in April 2026.

Firefighters tackle grass fires as far as 100 hectares wide in Gower twice in one day
Two major Gower fires in a single day in February 2025.

Firefighters tackle fire 100 hectares wide in Gower
The previous day’s blaze that preceded the twin fires.

Bishopston Community Council launch appeal after fifth fire at woodland in a matter of weeks
Growing alarm about repeated fires on Gower.

Port Talbot: Schools keeping pupils indoors as fire crews remain on scene at Water Street blaze
MWWFRS are simultaneously managing the ongoing Port Talbot industrial fire.

GOWER: Seven fire crews tackle 120-hectare blaze on Cefn Bryn as windy conditions hamper efforts

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service say they received the call at 10.47am on Tuesday 7 April. Crews from Swansea West, Gorseinon, Morriston, Llanelli, Reynoldston, Port Talbot and Pontarddulais fire stations all attended the scene.

Cefn Bryn is a prominent ridge running through the heart of the Gower peninsula, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its heathland and wildlife habitats. At 120 hectares — the equivalent of around 170 football pitches — Tuesday’s fire is the largest recorded on the ridge in recent years, surpassing the 100-hectare blaze that struck the same area in February 2025.

The service say firefighters used wildfire beaters, blowers, knapsacks and hose reel jets to bring the blaze under control. A water bowser from Port Talbot Fire Station also attended to support crews on the ground.

The fire proved especially challenging, the service say, because windy conditions caused unpredictable fire behaviour that repeatedly hampered progress. Warm weather and the sheer length of the operation placed significant physical demands on firefighters throughout the day.

The final crews did not leave the scene until 5.32pm — almost seven hours after the first call.

Gower’s common land has a history of deliberate fires during the spring months. Last April, a wild pony known locally as Henry died in a deliberately set fire near Copley Woods in Bishopston — the fifth fire in the same area within weeks — prompting an appeal from Bishopston Community Council and widespread public anger.

In a statement, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service warned that this time of year carries particular risks. “At this time of year, grass and mountainsides can dry out quickly,” the service said. “Even a small spark — accidental or deliberate — can escalate into a fast-moving fire capable of destroying habitats, landscapes, and homes within minutes.”

Tackling fires across Gower’s open moorland presents particular logistical challenges. The service has invested in specialist wildfire equipment in recent years, including an all-terrain vehicle fitted with an ultra-high-pressure pump and 300-litre water tank designed to reach areas inaccessible to conventional fire engines.

The fire comes amid growing concern about wildfires across Wales. According to the Wales Wildfire Board, fire services attended 3,474 grass fire incidents in Wales in 2025 — a 275% increase on the previous year. The most alarming trend was in deliberate fires, which rose to 2,357 incidents, up 256% and the highest number recorded since 2018.

The service is urging the public to follow the Wales Wildfire Board’s #WildfireWise guidance and take extra care when visiting the countryside during dry and windy conditions.

Anyone with information about the cause of the Cefn Bryn fire is asked to contact Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Firefighters tackle grass fires as far as 100 hectares wide in Gower — twice in one day
Five crews tackled two separate 100-hectare grass fires over the Cefn Bryn and Reynoldston area in a single day in February 2025.

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A wild pony known as Henry died in a deliberately set fire on Gower’s common land, prompting an urgent public appeal and widespread anger.

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Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service introduced specialist all-terrain wildfire fighting equipment to tackle blazes in inaccessible rural areas.

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The fire service issued a warning about the dangers of deliberately set fires following a series of incidents across the region.

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Climate experts warned that rising temperatures and dry conditions are increasing the risk of wildfires across the UK.

Gower named one of the best places on Earth to stargaze as dark‑sky status confirmed

The announcement lands just ahead of Welsh Dark Skies Week (13–22 February 2026) and marks a major moment for the region, with Gower now joining a global network of protected night‑sky locations.

A coastline where the Milky Way still shines

With some of the clearest, least light‑polluted skies in Wales, Gower is now being hailed as one of the country’s most spectacular places to watch the night sky. On the darkest nights, stargazers can see the Milky Way stretching over the waves — a sight that’s vanished from most of Europe and the US, where 99% of people now live under light‑polluted skies, according to DarkSky International.

The new status means Gower is officially recognised as a landscape where the night sky is protected, celebrated and accessible — whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or someone who’s never pointed a telescope at the sky before.

And it’s not just stars. In summer, beaches like Caswell, Three Cliffs and Port Eynon glow with bioluminescent plankton, creating surreal, neon‑blue shorelines that draw photographers and night‑time walkers from across the UK.

A major milestone for Swansea Bay

The accreditation was awarded by DarkSky International, the global authority on night‑sky conservation. It follows years of partnership work between Swansea Council, Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, the Gower Society and local communities.

Every street light on Gower has now been retrofitted with dark‑sky‑friendly LED lanterns, and new developments must follow strict lighting rules to protect the night environment.

The move puts Swansea Bay firmly on the map for astro‑tourism — a growing sector that brings visitors in outside the traditional summer season.

Where to find the darkest skies in Swansea Bay

https://youtu.be/9apykobwbLY

Gower’s landscapes offer a mix of easy‑access viewpoints and remote, wild locations where the night sky feels almost untouched.

Port Eynon
A wide, open bay with huge skies and uninterrupted views across the Bristol Channel.

Three Cliffs Bay
A dramatic, secluded spot where stargazers can watch constellations rise over the tidal estuary.

Oxwich
Easy to reach, with facilities nearby — ideal for families and first‑timers.

Rhossili Bay
One of the UK’s most famous coastal viewpoints by day; by night, a vast stage for meteor showers.

Cefn Bryn
Gower’s sandstone ridge offering 360‑degree views and some of the clearest skies in Wales.

https://youtu.be/wTh4GSL0rTA

A growing draw for visitors

Visit Swansea Bay says the new status strengthens the region’s reputation as a year‑round destination, already attracting more than 4.6 million visitors a year to its beaches, countryside, attractions and food scene.

The organisation works with more than 260 local tourism businesses and says dark‑sky tourism is becoming a major part of the region’s appeal.

Firefighters tackle grass fires as far as 100 hectares wide in Gower twice in one day

A crimson scene lit up the sky for miles as crews tackled the fires, one just before dawn and the second 12 hours later.

The first was dealt with the crews dividing themselves into two sectors between them to bring the blaze under control.

They remained there for almost five hours, using beaters and backpack blowers to extinguish the flames.

The evening fire (lead image) could be seen as far as parts of Llanelli with local residents of Three Crosses and Upper Killay concerned with the rapid spread of the blaze.

Road closures were put in place in the area at just before dusk as two fire units tackled the fire which the cause of has yet to be disclosed.

In a separate incident, crews were also called to a blaze near Pontardawe Road, in Ammanford where 15 hectares were on fire, but the blaze has since been put out.

Images show the extent of the blaze on Mynydd y Betws which borders Carmarthenshire and Swansea.

Firefighters attended the scene with two fire engines shortly before 2am on Wednesday, February. It took around two hours to control the fire, which covered an area of around 25 acres. A Spokesperson said the cause of the Betws fire was “unknown”.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire Service speaking over the Gower fires said:

“At 5.15am on Tuesday, February 18, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Gorseinon, Pontarddulais, Reynoldston, Swansea Central and Swansea West fire stations were called to an incident in Cefn Bryn, Gower.

“The crews responded to a grass fire covering approximately 100 hectares. The incident was sectorised into two sectors and crews utilised beaters and backpack blowers to extinguish the fire. Crew members left the scene at 9am.”

The Fire Service this morning added:

“At 17:31 on Tuesday, 18th February, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Reynoldston, Swansea West and Morriston Fire Stations were called to an incident in the Reynoldston area, Swansea.

“The crews responded to a grass fire covering approximately 50 hectares. The crews utilised beater blowers, two hose reel jets and one wildfire unit to extinguish the fire.

“Road closures were put in place in the area at 17:53.

“Crews left the scene at 20:51.”

[Lead image: Mid and West Wales Fire Service]

#CefnBryn #featured #grassFire #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService

Firefighters tackle Fire 100 hectares wide in Gower

Five crews for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service tackled a 100-hectare grass fire over Cefn Bryn just before dawn this morning, Tuesday 18 February.

A crimson scene lit up the sky for miles as crews tackled the fire divided into two sectors between them to bring the blaze under control.

They remained there for almost five hours, using beaters and backpack blowers to extinguish the flames.

The fire service are yet to disclose what started the blaze.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire Service said:

“At 5.15am on Tuesday, February 18, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Gorseinon, Pontarddulais, Reynoldston, Swansea Central and Swansea West fire stations were called to an incident in Cefn Bryn, Gower.

“The crews responded to a grass fire covering approximately 100 hectares. The incident was sectorised into two sectors and crews utilised beaters and backpack blowers to extinguish the fire. Crew members left the scene at 9am.”

[Lead image: Mid and West Wales Fire Service]

#CefnBryn #grassFire #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService

Arthur's Stone on Cefn Bryn with the Milky Way above it. This has sat on my PC since 2016 and hasn't seen the light of day (or night!) until now.

https://www.dansantillo.com/gallery/gower/?photo=DS_128532

#photography #astrophotography #arthursstone #cefnbryn #gower #swansea #wales #cymru #milkyway #stars #starrynight

An old #DailyPhoto for #TombTuesday This is #ArthursStone / #MaenCeti on #CefnBryn in the #Gower. This is either;
a) a #Neolithic Tomb or
b) a stone which #KingArthur, while marching to battle through Carmarthenshire, removed from his shoe and threw across the Lougher estuary

#legend #Wales #Cymru