# Firefighters and public ‘knowingly put at risk’ during summer wildfires

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/firefighters-and-public-knowingly-put-at-risk-during-summer-wildfires/
- Published: 2026-10-22T18:48:59+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T19:45:27+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Science (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqvgjk3j0j9wo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Science

## Key points

- The union says underfunding put crews and the public at risk.
- Wales has a reported shortfall of 400 firefighters.
- Control room calls reached nearly 2,000 in one day.

## Summary

The Fire Brigades Union says chronic underfunding left firefighters and the public knowingly at risk during this summer’s wildfires in Wales. Crews faced prolonged incidents without enough staff or suitable protective clothing, while injuries and exhaustion became common.

A Bridgend firefighter said that, on one day in August, there were six or seven serious wildfires visible around Tredegar Mountain and no fire appliances available across the brigade’s region. Control room calls rose from a usual 200 to 300 a day to almost 2,000 on the busiest day, and the union says Wales is short of 400 firefighters. The Welsh Government says it recognises concerns and needs to reduce wildfire risks; a resilience summit has brought emergency services, local government and other groups together.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.