Wildfire spotted from space as helicopter brought in to tackle blaze

Image source, Planet Labs PBC Image caption, This satellite image shows plumes of smoke coming from the Rhinogydd mountains in Gwynedd, north Wales By Angharad Thomas BBC Wales Published 4 minutes ago Satellite images have captured plumes of smoke and damage caused by a wildfire in north Wales. Data gathered by BBC Verify suggests an estimated 951 hectares (2,350 acres) of the Rhinogydd mountains in Gwynedd have been burned by a wildfire which broke out earlier this month. Nasa's satellite-based FIRMS monitoring system has also detected heat signatures from four areas of Wales where wildfires have broken out. It is showing heat sources at Blaenavon in Torfaen, Presteigne in Powys, and Pentre Halkyn in Flintshire. Natural Resources Wales said a specialist firefighting helicopter will be deployed to Rhinogydd on Friday morning after calls for "aerial support". Image source, Pat O'Neill Image caption, People living close to the Rhinogydd mountains have been advised to keep doors and windows closed On Thursday the Welsh government activated "crisis management arrangements" to tackle the wildfires that have broken out across Wales. 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. Siân Gwenllian, cabinet minister for local government, housing and planning, 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." Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Emergency services were called to a fire on Kilvey Hill, Swansea, on Thursday night 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 due to the smoke, they warned. Meanwhile, smoke from the fire at Blaenavon, which covers 220 hectares (543 acres), has travelled as far as Cardiff. Gwenllian said the blaze was "currently the priority for ground operations" as firefighters and NRW remain 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 spread