18/08/2026
🚒 Rhandirmwyn Wildfire — A final thank you and stop message!!
At 12:46 on Wednesday 12th August, Llandovery Fire Station was alerted to what would go on to become one of the biggest and most challenging incidents our station has ever faced in the local area.
By Thursday, the wildfire had been upgraded to a Major Incident, requiring the support of crews from over 20 mid and west wales fire stations including colleagues from North Wales and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Services.
A helicopter also worked tirelessly throughout the incident, dropping thousands of litres of water across the forestry and supporting the crews working on the ground.
What followed was an exhausting, challenging and at times extremely dangerous operation. For several days and nights, firefighters worked tirelessly across the Rhandirmwyn valley, battling difficult terrain, changing conditions and a rapidly developing wildfire.
The bravery and dedication shown by the Llandovery crew throughout this incident was truly exceptional. Working in the forestry to the north of the village, they faced some incredibly challenging and dangerous conditions, carrying out brave and difficult operations to prevent the fire from reaching Rhandirmwyn itself. They put themselves in harm’s way to protect homes, properties, livelihoods and the community they live in and serve.
A special recognition must go to Crew Manager Kirsty Williams. On arriving at the incident, Kirsty quickly realised the scale and potential threat of the fire and made the decision to request additional crews. Those early actions undoubtedly helped ensure that the support required was mobilised and arrived in time. Her quick thinking, leadership and decision making at such an early stage played an important part in the response.
I also want to personally thank my crew station 70 Llandovery who gave so much throughout this incident.
Ella Peel, Cath Moore, Shane Pelchat, Robbie White, Huw Williams and Steve Jones, along with every member of the Llandovery crew, showed incredible bravery, professionalism and dedication.
You worked long hours, through exhaustion, heat, smoke and difficult conditions, and still continued to put yourselves forward when you were needed. You never stopped. You never complained. You simply carried on doing what you joined the fire service to do protecting people and the community you care about.
I couldn’t be prouder of you all.
A thank you must also go to our ex-crew member, Gareth Davies, who worked incredibly long hours behind the scenes to keep the fire appliances, vehicles and equipment operational throughout the incident. His dedication and hard work helped ensure our crews had the equipment they needed to keep working safely and effectively. Gareth, we cannot thank you enough for everything you did.
❤️❤️
To all the wives, husbands, partners and families behind our firefighters — this thank you is especially important.
Without you, we simply wouldn’t have the crew we have available to attend these incidents.❤️❤️
While our firefighters were out from the early hours through to the late nights, working in difficult and dangerous conditions, you were at home holding the fort, looking after the children, managing everything at home and carrying on with everyday life.
And behind all of that is the worry waiting for that phone call, wondering when they will be home safely and hoping they are okay.
Your patience, understanding, sacrifice and support allows our firefighters to leave their homes and put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.
You may not be on the fireground, but you are a huge part of the team. Without you behind them, we wouldn’t have the dedicated crew we are so proud of today.
A big thank you must also go to the employers of our firefighters.
Your understanding and willingness to release our crew members from work, sometimes at very short notice, allowed them to attend incidents and remain available when they were desperately needed. It wouldn’t be possible without your support.
A huge thank you must also go to our local farmers, who were absolutely incredible throughout this incident. Day and night, they worked alongside us, bringing water in their slurry tankers and helping keep crews supplied.
Without your bravery, dedication, perseverance and hard work the incident could have escalated even further. We simply cannot thank you enough.
A special thank you must go to The Royal Oak, JT Fish Bar, The King’s Head and the local community for supplying our crews with what seemed like an endless supply of food throughout the incident. After long, exhausting shifts, coming back to food and the incredible generosity of all the donations meant more to the crews than you probably realise. Your kindness kept our firefighters going when they needed it most.
From practical help to kind words, food, equipment and everything in between, the support from our community has been truly overwhelming.
………The final STOP message was given at 14:30 today, bringing this major operation to an end.
However, our job doesn’t completely stop here. The Llandovery crew will continue to monitor the area over the coming week, carrying out checks to make sure the fire remains safely extinguished and that there is no further risk of it reigniting.
Looking back at the last several days, I am incredibly proud of what our station and community has achieved.
This wasn’t just about fighting a fire. It was about people coming together — firefighters, farmers, businesses, employers, families, control staff, mechanics and the wider community — all doing their part to protect Rhandirmwyn and the surrounding area.
To every firefighter who stood on that hillside, in that forestry and on those long shifts — thank you for your bravery.
To every person who supported them — thank you for your sacrifice.
And to the Llandovery crew — you should be immensely proud of yourselves.
First ones in. Last ones out! Brave, professional and 100% dedicated to keeping our community safe.
From me personally, thank you and well done. It has been an absolute privilege to stand alongside you all.
🚒❤️ Llandovery Fire Station — what a team. What a community.
Watch Manager Ken Hughes
Llandovery Fire Station 🚒
