IT IS ALMOST a week since firefighters began their battle to extinguish the grass fires on Twmbarlwm, and new footage of the mountain, above Cwmcarn, reveals the extent of the damage the fires have caused.

Drone photographs, sent in by reader James Alderson, show how the once lush green forests have been reduced to blackened ash.

Other images and video footage, sent in by readers and South Wales Argus Camera Club members, capture the scale of the fires, which can be seen from miles away.

Fire crews have been in constant attendance on Twmbarlwm since last weekend, with their job made more difficult after a second fire was started deliberately on the mountaintop on Thursday.

Leaf-blowers and beaters, as well as hoses and helicopters, are being used to fight the flames.

The fire service has repeated its requests for people not to approach the fires on Twmbarlwm or in any other location, citing public safety as the service's number one concern.

Rangers from Rangers from Cwmcarn Forest Drive’s mountain bike trails said on social media two trails would remain closed until at least next weekend (July 28-29) due to the “significant damage” caused to the area.