“People deserve to know exactly what is happening and what support is being provided,” said Helen Jenner, MS for Bangor Conwy Môn and Deputy Leader of Reform UK Wales.
“They will also rightly question the Plaid Cymru Government's crisis management arrangements, as serious questions remain over why aerial firefighting support was not brought in sooner during such a fast-moving emergency.”
“Our immediate priority must be supporting those on the frontline and protecting local communities,” said Jenner.
“However, once this immediate threat has passed, Welsh Government must be prepared to answer difficult questions about its handling of these incidents and the lessons that must be learned to ensure Wales is better prepared in future.”
Unlike European partners operating large aerial fleets, such as France with 35 aircraft and Spain with 45, Britain historically relied on ad hoc private contractors.
Brexit also severed access to rescEU, the European Union's civil protection mechanism that pools emergency aviation assets among member states.
Sian Gwenllian, MS for Arfon, noted that emergency services hold differing views regarding helicopter integration.
She emphasized that general aerial capability falls outside Natural Resources Wales' remit, which covers only the Welsh Government Woodland Estate.
“Firstly, I should emphasise that the armed forces have no UK-based capacity at all for aerial firefighting, so we are unable to ask for their support,” said Sian Gwenllian, Gwynedd Maldwyn MS.
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“I would also emphasize that providing general aerial firefighting capability for Wales is not within Natural Resources Wales’ remit.”
