EVACCardiff

🚨 Incident update: Smoke from fire at Cardiff Docks

We are currently responding to a fire on board a ship at Queen Alexandra Docks, Cardiff.

There is currently no immediate risk to the public. However, firefighting operations may result in intermittent smoke affecting areas including Cardiff Bay, Cardiff city centre, and Penarth.

If you are in an area affected by smoke, Public Health Wales advises keeping windows and doors closed. If you feel unwell, seek advice from NHS 111 or your GP. In an emergency, always call 999.

Associated British Ports (ABP), who own and operate the Port of Cardiff, continue to support the emergency response.

We thank the public for their cooperation and ask that people avoid the area and do not fly drones while operations remain ongoing.

ICYMI: It could be hundreds of years before habitats destroyed by wildfires in Wales recover, the environment watchdog has said.

Nick Thomas, from Natural Resources Wales, explained that if soil was incinerated in upland areas rich in peat, which grows at about a millimetre a year, it could take centuries for the vegetation to come back in a similar way.

He called 2026 the worst year Wales has ever experienced for wildfires.

As well as damage to natural habitats and animal life, Thomas warned loss of soil could increase flood risks, because it no longer acts as a "sponge" holding water on high ground.

📷 Patrick O’Neill | ESA/EU/Copernicus Sentinel-2

🔥 Did You Know?

The term wildfire describes the type and scale of the incident, not how it started.

A wildfire is typically a large, uncontrolled fire involving vegetation. According to National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), a wildfire will usually meet one or more operational thresholds, such as:
-Covering an area of at least 1 hectare
-Producing sustained flames over 1.5 metres
-Requiring four or more fire appliances/resources
-Needing a response lasting six hours or more
-Posing a threat to people, property, infrastructure or the Environment Agency

Whether a fire starts accidentally, naturally, or is deliberately set, it can still become a wildfire if it meets these criteria.

That's why you may see us refer to some incidents as wildfires, because we're describing the nature and impact of the incident rather than its cause🚒

Heol Goch, from Main Road to Heol-y-Pentre, will be closed to all traffic from 7pm on Friday, 7 August, until 8am on Saturday, 8 August, to allow urgent road patching works and gully repairs to take place.

The diversion route will be signposted via Heol Pant-y-Gored, Cardiff Road, Llantrisant Road, Heol Isaf and Ty Nant Road.

Thank you for your patience while these essential works are carried out.

More information here: https://orlo.uk/zkW2L

We're continuing to support residents affected by last week's flooding in Gwaelod-y-Garth.

If you're unsure where to turn for help, or have been approached by anyone offering services or support and want reassurance before making a decision, please speak to us.

We’re working alongside trusted partners including Citizens Advice and the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit to help residents access the support available.

Our Advice Services team will be at the Village Hall every day this week from 9am to 5pm.

You can also call us on 029 2087 1071 or email [email protected]