Fire destroys moorland size of 1,250 football pitches
Bushfires in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire have burned hundreds of hectares of moorland, equivalent to the size of 1,250 football pitches, the landowner said.
Firefighters warned that “people should stay away from the area,” adding that they had seen visitors lighting barbecues in the area this weekend.
More than 100 firefighters and volunteers are battling the blaze on two fronts at Dove Stone after the blaze merged with the fire at Saddleworth. A pre-existing fire at Tintwistleand at Swineshaw.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “People should stay away from affected moorland areas and should not light barbecues, campfires or other open flames.”
Firefighters urge people to act responsibly [GMFRS]
Landowner United Utilities (UU) said: “The fires have now burned a total of 885 hectares of valuable moorland, the equivalent of 1,250 football fields.”
A spokesman said the firm continues to work with GMFRS, Greater Manchester Police, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue, RSPB and Mountain Rescue “to tackle bushfires in Dovestone and Tintwistle”.
“This includes the deployment of specialist teams and equipment, such as helicopters and all-terrain vehicles, to assist in extinguishing the fire,” they added.
The fire at Tintwistle Moor in Glossop, Derbyshire, started on 24 June [Derby Mountain Rescue Team]
The UK Health Safety Agency has urged people to avoid areas affected by bushfire smoke as much as possible [GMFRS]
The UU said it was urging the public to follow advice given by the fire service and “stay away from affected moorland areas”.
In an update on Saturday afternoon, GMFRS said: “Our firefighters continue to tackle two major moorland fires at Swineshaw and Dovestones.
“This weekend we have already seen people visiting the area and lighting barbecues.
“People should avoid affected moorland areas and should not light barbecues, campfires or other open flames.”
Crews from Derbyshire, South Wales, Lancashire and Hereford & Worcester joined Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to tackle the fires. [GMFRS]
Fire Chief Dave Russel said Friday that the scale of the wildfire was “massive.”
It is a “physically demanding and incredibly challenging environment” for firefighters, he said, adding that they work 24/7 and “their professionalism is, as always, first class.”
On July 11, a fire broke out at Dove Stone Reservoir.
Shania Care-Slede, 20, of Market Street, Hyde, was charged with aggravated arson, recklessness as to whether life is endangered and dangerous driving. He will appear in court on August 18.
Manchester Police said two people, a man in his 20s and a 19-year-old woman, who were arrested on suspicion of arson on Thursday and Friday, were later released on bail.
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