Government announces wildfire firefighting aircraft following campaign by Welsh Lib Dem MP

• The UK Government has announced plans to equip RAF aircraft to tackle wildfires following calls from Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick for a permanent national aerial firefighting capability.

The MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe has spent months pressing ministers to improve the UK's response to wildfires, following devastating fires across Wales and the rest of the UK this summer, including major blazes in his own constituency near Rhayader and Llangynidr Reservoir.

Chadwick raised serious concerns about Britain's reliance on privately contracted helicopters after firefighters battling a major blaze in the Rhinogydd mountains near Harlech in North Wales were left without aerial support.

The fire, which broke out on 12 July, spread across approximately 2,000 acres of remote mountainous terrain, much of which was inaccessible to firefighters on foot or by vehicle.

Despite North Wales Fire and Rescue Service requesting helicopter assistance and Natural Resources Wales approving the request, no suitable aircraft were available because of demand from wildfires elsewhere in the UK. Firefighters were told they would have to wait until the following week for support.

The threat was also brought home to Chadwick's own constituency during August, when major wildfires broke out on Gwastedyn Hill near Rhayader and around Llangynidr Reservoir, the latter being declared a major incident.

Following these incidents, Chadwick repeatedly called on the Government to establish a permanent aerial firefighting capability.

In a written parliamentary question submitted on 28 August, he asked ministers whether they had considered procuring dedicated firefighting aircraft.

He followed this up on 9 October by asking the Ministry of Defence to consider equipping military aircraft with specialist firefighting equipment, pointing to similar capabilities used by French emergency services.

Last week, the Government announced that RAF Chinook helicopters and A400M transport aircraft would be equipped to tackle wildfires, creating a permanent UK-based military aerial firefighting capability for the first time.

The aircraft will be available, when requested, to support firefighters battling blazes in remote areas across the UK, including Wales.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said:

"This is a really welcome announcement and a significant step forward in ensuring that Wales is better prepared to tackle devastating wildfires.

"Throughout the summer, I repeatedly pressed ministers on why Britain continued to rely on privately contracted aircraft when other European countries have invested in dedicated firefighting capabilities.

"We saw the consequences in North Wales, where firefighters tackling a huge wildfire near Harlech were unable to access helicopters because they were already needed elsewhere in the UK.

"With major wildfires also breaking out near Rhayader and Llangynidr Reservoir in my own constituency, the need for action could not have been clearer.

"I specifically called on the Government to equip military aircraft with firefighting equipment, so I'm delighted ministers have now committed to doing exactly that.

"With climate change increasing the threat of wildfires, this is an important step towards protecting our communities and countryside. I will now be pressing ministers to ensure these aircraft are ready and available when needed."

ENDS