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Soldiers used to help tackle wildfires

5 May 2011 | Wales  By Will Inglis 
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As wildfires continue in the Brecon Beacons National Park, it has been confirmed the military has been used to help tackle them.

10 soldiers from 160 (Wales) Brigade were drafted in yesterday, along with instructors from the Infantry Battle School and several Gurkhas, to help wardens from Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and the Fire Brigade. The MoD fire service and RAF helicopters have also provided assistance.

Judith Harvey, western area warden for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said the service personnel have now been stood down.

Berkshire firefighters have been pumping water from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, to tackle a separate wildfire.

The blaze in Swinley Forest is on the edge of Sandhurst's own training area.

The Defence Fire and Rescue Service is providing a liaison officer to support the civilian firefighters.