Wildfire smoke reaches north Shropshire
People in and around Oswestry woke to the unmistakeable tang of smoke on Tuesday, as plumes from major wildfires in North Wales drifted more than 70 miles inland. Reports of a smoky odour came in from across the north of the county and along the border, with the haze traced to ongoing incidents on Conwy Mountain and in the Rhinogydd range near Harlech.
The wildfires prompted a major incident declaration in North Wales, and while flames are not reported locally, the smell has been keenly felt in several Shropshire communities. One resident in Chirk said the odour was strong enough to disturb their sleep.
“It woke me up this morning. Wind from northeast and I'm hoping it is being carried here from a distance.”
Where the smoke is being noticed
Dozens of people contacted local outlets on Tuesday morning to say they could smell smoke across the area. Locations mentioned include:
- Oswestry
- Chirk
- St Martins
- Weston Rhyn
- Ellesmere
While the fire fronts are in North Wales, shifting winds have carried smoke across the border, leaving a lingering scent even where there is no visible fire activity.
Fire service advice for residents
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews remain on scene at both incidents and warned that smouldering is likely to continue for several days. The service urged residents to limit smoke entering their homes until conditions improve.
“We continue to have a presence at the fires at both Conwy Mountain near Capelulo, and at the Rhinogydd mountain range, near Harlech. Officers and crews will periodically be re-inspecting both sites.
“Please be aware that both fires are expected to continue smouldering and may produce smoke for several days.
“Members of the public are asked to contact North Wales Fire and Rescue Service only if they see visible flames or if smoke becomes excessive or overwhelming in their area.
“Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed until conditions improve and the smoke has dispersed. Once the smoke has cleared it is a good idea to open windows and doors to air your home.”
What this means for north Shropshire
For many in the Oswestry area, the chief impact is the smell of smoke rather than flames. The fire service’s guidance is straightforward: keep windows and doors closed while smoke persists, and only report issues locally if you can see visible flames or if smoke becomes excessive or overwhelming. Once the air clears, ventilate your home to disperse any lingering odour.
With winds carrying smoke over long distances, the situation may change from hour to hour. People may notice fluctuations in the smell, particularly in exposed locations and at higher ground. The fire service has signalled that the smouldering phase could last several days, so intermittent smoky conditions remain possible in parts of north Shropshire until crews declare the sites fully cold.
At a glance: affected locations and current status
| Location | Reports | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Oswestry | Smell of smoke reported | Keep windows/doors closed |
| Chirk | Early morning odour noticed | Keep windows/doors closed |
| St Martins | Smell reported | Keep windows/doors closed |
| Weston Rhyn | Smell reported | Keep windows/doors closed |
| Ellesmere | Smell reported | Keep windows/doors closed |
Ongoing monitoring
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said officers will periodically re‑inspect both the Conwy Mountain and Rhinogydd sites. Until those checks confirm the fires are out, residents in north Shropshire should be prepared for occasional smoke drift, depending on wind direction.
Anyone in our patch who notices a sudden deterioration, such as thick smoke or signs of fire nearby, should contact the fire service. Otherwise, the message today is steady and simple: stay indoors where needed, keep homes sealed against the smell, and air rooms when the smoke lifts.
