UPDATED: Moorland fires continue to burn

Date published: 26 June 2018


Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team are continuing to battle a blaze near Saddleworth Moor which can be seen for miles around.

As firefighters continued their fire fighting close to Buckton Vale, GMFR Group Manager Phil Nelson provided an update just after 2pm this afternoon (Tuesday). 

Tameside and Stockport Group Manager Mr Nelson said: “Approximately 50 firefighters, specialist officers and three wildfire units are tackling the blaze on the moor in very challenging conditions.

"Our crews are working tirelessly to fight the fire and we are utilising a number of tactics to reduce the scale of the blaze.

“We have a helicopter deployed to drop water in challenging areas that cannot be accessed on foot which is helping to reduce the scale of the fire.

"We are also working alongside Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service who are fighting the fire on the other side of the moor.

“Firefighter and partner safety and welfare is a priority for us.

"Conditions are really arduous on the moor and we are ensuring crews are rotated and are given relief breaks.

“I would like to thank all of our crews and partners for all their hard work so far in tackling this challenging incident.

"We will continue to fight the fire for the rest of the day and into the evening but I want to reassure the public that we are working closely with partner agencies at United Utilities and the Peak District to ensure our crews are tackling the fire in the safest and most efficient way.”

Fire fighters were first called to moorland between Dovestone Reservoir and Buckton Vale at around 8.20pm on Sunday to reports that a fire had been started, they managed to extinguish that blaze but another one was started during the early hours yesterday morning (Monday).

Crews believe the second fire was started due to the heat. However, they haven't given any indication as to how they think the first fire started on Sunday evening.

A number of fire units remain at the scene this morning (Tuesday) as they try to extinguish the blaze which is covering two-square kilometres of land with plumes of smoke being able to be seen for miles around.

The Chronicle has learned that smoke can be seen as far as Little Hayfield in the Peak District with some motorists reporting that smoke is also crossing the carriageway on the M60 at Ashton, although it’s not thought to be causing any problems to motorists during the morning rush hour.

Along with the smoke, the fire can be seen and smelt across Oldham and Tameside, with a smell of burning grass being reported across town and in Stalybridge and Ashton.

Fire station Manager Lee Bourne, who is the incident commander, said: “Crews are making good progress this morning and are managing to get a hold on the fire.

“There is a concern about the amount of low lying smoke which is affecting local areas, namely Carbrook, Greenfield and parts of Saddleworth, along with Stalybridge.

“Due to the weather conditions and there being a lack of wind, the smoke has settled so it is important for residents to keep doors and windows closed where there is any visible smoke.”

It’s not the first time crews have had to use with similar fires on Saddleworth Moor in recent months requiring the same such action to bring it under control and finally put it out.

The Chronicle has also learned that a second fire might have started a few miles from the major blaze on Saddleworth with reports coming in of a second plume of smoke being spotted closer to the Tameside side of the moor.

 


Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.