People across Ross-on-Wye and parts of Herefordshire have been reporting a strong smell of smoke, with local fire services confirming it is drifting over from a major wildfire in Wales.<\/p>\n
People living in the south Herefordshire town, as well as Hay-on-Wye, Walterstone, Lea and other areas, have taken to social media to report smoky conditions, while one driver described it as “very smokey” on the road between Fownhope and Newent.<\/p>\n
Ross East county and town councillor Ed O’Driscoll said he had spoken to firefighters about the reports.<\/p>\n
He said: “Reports across Forest of Dean and Ross-on-Wye of smoke in the air – apparently it’s drifting across from a fire in Ebbw Vale.”<\/p>\n
Read more<\/strong><\/p>\n The smell has also been noticed across the Forest of Dean, prompting concerns among residents worried there could be a local wildfire.<\/p>\n Forest of Dean MP Matt Bishop said he had contacted the fire service after hearing from residents about the mystery smoke filling the air.<\/p>\n He said: “I’ve been in touch with the fire brigade, who have confirmed that there are currently no forest fires in the Forest of Dean.<\/p>\n “I understand that the smoke affecting the Forest of Dean is coming from a fire in Wales.”<\/p>\n Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has also confirmed there are no fires in the Ross-on-Wye area.<\/p>\n The smoke is believed to be coming from a large moorland wildfire near Llangynidr Reservoir, close to Ebbw Vale, where firefighters have been tackling the blaze throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n Ensure you never miss a Hereford Times headline. Click here to add the Hereford Times as a Preferred Source in Google Search<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n A major incident has been declared and the South Wales fire service has said\u00a0the fire is still not under control.<\/p>\n Microlight pilot Tony Scott said he was travelling with a friend from a small airfield on the South Wales coast, near Port Talbot, when he spotted the huge plumes of smoke rising from the wildfire.<\/p>\n Heading back to his base in south Herefordshire on Saturday (August 8), he said the plume of smoke was heading towards Hay-on-Wye.<\/p>\n Earlier, Hereford Fire Station warned that smoke from the wildfire was drifting into parts of Herefordshire.<\/p>\n Stay updated with all the latest Herefordshire news that matters to you!<\/a><\/p>\n