REFORM UK MS Laura Anne Jones has called for an urgent recovery plan for Blaenavon Common after visiting the wildfire site, where peat continues to burn underneath the surface.

She praised local common land farmers and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for their tireless efforts but warned the Welsh Government must now help restore the internationally important landscape and ensure Wales is better prepared for future upland fires.

The Reform UK Shadow Minister for Food, Farming and Rural Affairs said: “This fire is still burning beneath peat and the damage is enormous. Local common land farmers have worked around the clock alongside our firefighters, using their own machinery, knowledge and experience to protect livestock, homes, wildfire and this precious landscape.

“They have been absolutely outstanding, and we all owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”

“Now the priority must be recovering the common. The Welsh Government must provide urgent support to help farmers feed their livestock and restore the mountain. We also need to learn the lessons from this disaster.

“The complete lack of fire breaks and fire ponds, the untamed mass of bracken and restrictions on common sense land management have all made fires like this harder to contain. Better prevention must now become the priority.”

“This is part of a World Heritage Site and a triple SSSI, but it is also a working agricultural landscape that supports local farming families. The damage to the land, drainage and peat will have long-term consequences including concerns about flooding and erosion.

“It was also clear to me that NRW needs greater resources and a clear strategy to manage its own land and respond to emergencies like this. The wildfire has released vast amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, proving just how important these peatlands are.

“There needs to be proper join Wales-wide plan in place for both Peate, grass and other fires.”