Teen Describes Fear During Conwy Mountain Wildfire
A teenager has recounted feeling "absolutely terrified" as a wildfire approached within feet of her family home.
Elvie Drinkwater, 16, described the experience of the fire spreading across a large area of Conwy Mountain in north Wales.
"You could hear it, you could smell it, but you couldn't see it," Elvie said. "It sounded like cracking, like popcorn in the microwave... crunching."
On Sunday, police instructed Elvie's family and others in Capelulo, Conwy county, to evacuate their homes due to the advancing fire.
She recalled leaving in a "panic," uncertain if or when they would be able to return. The family was finally informed it was safe to return on Tuesday.
Elvie expressed sadness over the loss of the natural surroundings near their home.
"The natural beauty that surrounded her family home had now 'all gone'."
Firefighters Manage Wildfire, Other Blazes Continue
The major incident declared over the Conwy wildfire has been brought under control. However, firefighters continued to combat several active fires on Tuesday evening, including in Braichmelyn forestry near Bethesda and the Rhinogydd mountain range near Harlech.
Wildfires persist in other parts of the UK, with firefighting teams under "extreme pressure" amid the ongoing heatwave.
Evacuation and Uncertainty
Elvie explained that police advised her family on Sunday morning to prepare for evacuation as the grass fire approached their area.
The GCSE student admitted feeling "disappointed" for not being better prepared, initially believing the fire was too distant to affect them.
"And then knowing that there's like so many things I want to bring with me, and I just can't go back," she said.
"Then there's that fear, not knowing if I'm coming back.
Is my house still going to be there?
How long am I going to be away for?"
The family waited several hours before learning their property had escaped damage from the fire.
It was two days before Elvie, her mother, and her partner could return home. Their dog, Marley, stayed elsewhere as pets were not permitted at their hotel.
Safety and Impact of the Fire
Throughout the event, Elvie stated she did not feel their safety was compromised because "the firefighters did have a good handle on the situation."
However, she described the return journey as "really sad," witnessing the devastation of charred fields and trees along the pass.
"We moved here in 2021, and we did choose this house because of all the natural beauty, everything surrounding us, and now it's all gone," she said.
"Heather takes about 10 years to come back, so it'll be a long time, but it will come back."
