At least 20 wildfires are raging across Wales today as exhausted firefighters have been joined by 200 soldiers to tackle the ‘carnage’ spreading across parched countryside.

Days after Andy Burnham described Britain as a ‘tinderbox’ and imposed a temporary ban on disposable barbecues, fire chiefs said the situation was now ‘exceptional’.

And they warned that while temperatures may ease in the coming days, a continued lack of rain means the wildfire risk remains high.

It came as pictures showed an ‘appalling’ wildfire raging near people’s homes last night, with emergency services rushing to the area to battle the blaze.

Flames could be seen burning across the mountainside behind a row of houses in Ynyswen and Treherbert in the Rhondda.  

Today South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said  its crews – reinforced by brigades from as far afield as London and Cumbria, as well as the military – were still tackling 14 wildfires. 

The service issued a major incident update on Saturday night, saying it had already received 736 calls compared to an average of about 300.

Meanwhile Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told WalesOnline its crews are battling a further six wildfires.

Wildfires light up the night sky at Cwm, a former industrial coal-mining community in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales on Saturday night

A helicopter drops water onto burning moorland near Blaenavon in south Wales today as the military and emergency services continue to battle wildfires

The mountainside in Ynyswen and Treherbert up in flames on Saturday night, with emergency services rushing to the area to battle the blaze

A temporary ban on drones has been imposed across South Wales today as the battle to extinguish the fires takes to the skies, with a fire-fighting helicopter dousing hillsides above Ynyswen. 

About 200 military personnel – from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, supported by the 22 Engineer Regiment – have also been deployed to provide support.

South Wales Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan said the soldiers had been doing an ‘utterly phenomenal job digging trenches and also helping us build fire breaks’.

‘That has liberated lots of our firefighters to go and do their more specialist skills of firefighting,’ he told the BBC today.

The military have also been providing logistical support, including water distribution.

But Mr Monahan said that even after Friday’s controversial emergency alert sent to millions of mobile phones across England and Wales, people weren’t heeding the warnings.

‘Even after that transmission, I stopped and found someone who was burning tyres underneath a tree,’ he said.

‘This is irresponsible behaviour.’

Smoke rises from wildfires near Ebbw Vale, South Wales as around 200 military personnel were brought in to reinforce fire crews

Smoke and flames can be seen burning across the mountainside behind a row of houses in Treherbert

About 200 military personnel – from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, supported by the 22 Engineer Regiment – were deployed in South Wales provide support.

Fire crews have been brought in to tackle the south Wales wildfire outbreak from Cumbria, nearly 250 miles away

Warning today of a continuing fight to stem the fires, his deputy, Adam Openshaw, said: ‘The combined efforts of everyone involved in this major incident continue to play a vital role in keeping people safe during these exceptional circumstances.

‘We know this is a challenging and worrying time for many people.

‘Please be assured that we remain committed to protecting our communities and keeping the people of South Wales safe.’  

Sir Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said the fire which broke out above Treherbert was ‘appalling’.

‘Thankfully, there are fire engines from all over the UK and two helicopters have been in place all afternoon,’ he posted on Saturday night. 

‘One crew has come all the way from London. I’m immensely impressed by the fire workers. But this can’t be our new normal.’

Gareth Tovey, Fire Brigades Union executive council member for Wales, said members were reporting ‘carnage’ as they battled multiple incidents.

‘What our members out there, firefighters on the ground, are saying, is that the conditions in which they’re fighting these fires are materially different from what we’ve experienced before – it’s so much drier,’ he said.

Firefighters are working 10 or 11-hour shifts on mountainsides without breaks or access to toilets and eating meals ‘covered in soot,’ he added.

On Friday police said four 14-year-old boys have been arrested in connection with a fire on the mountain near Pleasant Heights in Porth.

Soldiers from 10 QOGLR digging out fire breaks within the woodblocks in Wales

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (centre) walks with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker (right) as he talks to Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill (left) during a visit to Stourbridge yesterday afternoon

The blaze in Stourbridge forced some people to flee after the fire started tearing through homes

South Wales Police said four teens had been arrested on suspicion of arson and have since been bailed under investigation.

Elin Jones, the Welsh finance minister, said: ‘At present, both South Wales and Mid and West Wales Fire Services have declared major incidents given the pressures on them from fires in multiple locations.

‘The incidents are being managed through an established multi-agency emergency structure covering all organisations involved in the response including the Welsh Government.’

Ms Jones added: ‘We are extremely grateful to the Army for providing this additional support. The Welsh Government stands ready to provide funding for these military support operations should this be required.’

Affected areas in mid and west Wales include Llangynidr, Rhandirmwyn, Pontarddulais and Gorseinon.

The Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Firefighters have worked tirelessly over recent days to contain the fire, tackle hotspots and limit further spread. 

‘Although significant progress has been made, some areas have experienced renewed fire activity and localised spread due to changing conditions. 

‘These areas are being prioritised by crews, who remain on scene carrying out targeted firefighting operations while closely monitoring conditions across the wider fireground.’

It comes after West Midlands Fire Service declared a major incident on Thursday as a wildfire spread across more than 500 acres and destroyed 19 homes in the market town.

It was one of several blazes to ravage through the UK this week as temperatures soared and the hottest day of the year was recorded.

On Friday evening, millions of people in England and Wales received an alert on their mobile devices warning them of a ‘very high risk of wildfires nationally’.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said it has been ‘inundated’ with 999 calls since the emergency alert and urged people to help ‘keep our lines available for those who need urgent assistance’.

It also caused chaos on the roads, with spooked motorists veering across carriageways as they attempted to check their phones. 

Mr Burnham said on Friday: ‘This evening, an emergency alert has been sent to people across England and Wales as the wildfire risk remains very high.

‘The request came directly from fire and rescue services… During this period of extreme heat, I’m asking everyone to take extra care.

‘Please do not light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas.’

The Prince of Wales shared a statement on Saturday thanking emergency services which have been ‘working tirelessly’ to battle wildfires across the country.

William said: ‘To the firefighters, emergency responders and volunteers battling wildfires across the UK, thank you.

‘Our thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who have lost their homes, and with those working tirelessly to protect communities, homes and the countryside.’