The key facts

  • Prince William visited Treherbert, where a major incident was declared in August due to 14 simultaneous fires
  • A record was set in 2026: 1,350 significant wildfires in England and Wales — 300 more than in 2025
  • A record was recorded in 2026: 1,350 significant fires in England and Wales — 300 more than in 2025
  • The UK government announced the conversion of Chinook helicopters and A400M aircraft for firefighting
  • The UK government announced the conversion of Chinook helicopters and A400M aircraft to fight fires

Visit to Treherbert and risk assessment

The Prince of Wales, William, visited the Welsh town of Treherbert in the Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough, which in August came under threat from a major fire on a mountainside. According to him, climate change means the UK faces a reports BBC News.

The scale of the August fire

The fire above Treherbert became part of an unprecedented season: the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident, while simultaneously battling 14 wildfires. Forces from 22 other UK fire and rescue services were brought in to help, and to dig fire breaks and deliver 2.1 million litres of water, the military were deployed, including around 200 soldiers from a Gurkha logistics regiment. Firefighter Aled Bound called this the toughest season of his career: the fire burned deep into the ground and reignited the next day even after copious amounts of water were poured on it.

Record statistics and the authorities' response

According to the National Fire Chiefs Council, 1,350 significant wildfires were recorded in England and Wales in 2026 — a new historic high, more than 300 higher than in 2025 and more than 1,000 higher than in 2024. The wave of fires in spring and summer was triggered by months of record heat and dry weather. The UK government recently announced that RAF Chinook helicopters and A400M aircraft will be converted for firefighting, while a separate Welsh government summit on the issue of fires ended with pledges to take measures to improve preparedness.

The community's role and the Prince's experience

The Prince praised the served for three years, from 2010 to 2013, as a Sea King helicopter pilot with a search and rescue team at RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey and qualified as a captain, recalled that after the Sea King was retired the country lost the corresponding air resources, and asked about the availability of aircraft for firefighting. South Wales Deputy Chief Fire Officer Adam Openshaw said that after the summits held, the service would implement much of what had been learned.

An outdoor photo showing Prince William, in a dark suit listening intently to a fire officer in full uniform. Behind him is a house and trees. In the foreground two more firefighters can be seen from behind, with the side of a fire van in red and yellow taking up the right hand edge of the frameImage source, Kensington Palace
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Prince William thanked the firefighters, military and volunteers who were instrumental in controlling the fire in Treherbert

A dramatic night-time photo by Katie Edwards, a Treherbert resident, of the fires, taken from a window in their home. The window frame can be seen around the edge of the photo. It's night-time. In the foreground, on the right hand side, a girl can be seen sitting on the windowsill looking towards the fires, which look incredibly red and dramatic, dominating the background. Buildings can be seen in the shadow of the flames.Image source, Katie Edwards
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The fire got within metres of the village of Treherbert before it was contained

Another night-time photo of the fire. In the foreground two rows of terraced houses can be seen, with some lights on. Behind them, the fire is burning in four places on the hillside. Although it doesn't look large, the fire is burning furiously with smoke rising. The background is completely dark, although some trees can just about be made out from the light of the flames.Image source, Katie Edwards
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Residents were given the order to evacuate as the fire came closer to the village

Aled is looking directly at the camera, standing in front of a dull-coloured green and brown hillside. He has short dark hair and is wearing a khaki firefighter's jacket with reflective trim.
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Aled Bound would have a break after finishing his day job at Maesteg fire station, before racing to Treorchy to fight more fires as an on-call firefighter

A sunny day, with blue skies. The blackened hillside fills the middle of the photo, with smoke rising. Above it flies a yellow helicopter with a small red bucket to be seen below it. In the foreground are some foliage and a small concrete outhouse.Image source, Katie Edwards
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Military helicopters dropped water on fires to ensure they could not return despite the intense heat in the ground - the hillside is still black two months later

An interior shot of Prince William speaking around a table to seven firefighters. The room has light-coloured walls. He has turned towards Adam, who is smiling and nodding. The others are seen side-on or from behind.Image source, Kensington Palace
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Prince William personally thanked firefighters including Adam Openshaw [centre, in firefighting kit] and Aled Bound [to his left]

A photo taken looking up a steep terraced street at night. The foreground looks mundane, with cars parked on the street, the street-lights are on, and some of the windows have lights on with curtains drawn. The background, however, is nightmarish, black, with red clouds and smoke from a line of flames above the street burning furiouslyImage source, Katie Edwards
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The fire at Treherbert was considered small but high risk due to its proximity to properties, the difficult terrain and the likelihood of its spreading

A group photo in the community centre kitchen. Prince William is standing in a suit, with three women wearing red t-shirts with the Valleys Kids logo. They are all smiling broadly. In the background you can see a coffee machine, cooker hood and a window looking towards a street.Image source, Kensington Palace
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Staff at the Penyrenglyn community centre including Kath Edwards [left] kept the centre open 24/7 for six successive days

A selfie of Beth Jenkins with short hair and wearing a fleeced hoodie, sitting in a car.Andy Lloyd has white/grey hair and is wearing a navy and red striped polo shirt. He's standing outside with a brick building behind him.Owain Wyn Evans. He has short ginger hair and a moustache. He is wearing a blue and white striped top with a navy collar.