Fire fighters continue to graft on Saddleworth Moor

Firefighters and the Army are back on Saddleworth Moor this morning (Monday) as the moorland fires continue to rumble on into a second week.

Crews from across Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were joined by firefighters and specialist officers from Northumberland, West Yorkshire, South Wales, Cheshire and Gloucestershire over the weekend, and they were continuing to be supported by around 100 military personnel.

A request for an extension for military personnel was granted on Friday as they will provide continued support this week.

Smoke can still be seen hanging heavy in the air and every now and then, small pockets of fire can be seen bursting to the surface from deep within the smouldering peat.

And in the middle of it all, a band of exhausted fire fighters are doing all they can to prevent the blaze from spreading, just as they have done so heroically for the past week.

While the immediate threat to nearby properties spanning Tameside and Saddleworth appears to have passed, there is still a long road ahead for the fire service, mountain rescue teams, farmers and countless other organisations who have stepped up to help.

Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were drafted in last Thursday and are expected to remain on the moors until today at least.

The flames could rear up again at any time, and with no rain forecast for possibly another fortnight, the work to suppress the blaze is relentless.

Fire bosses have said it could take weeks for it to be extinguished completely.

With the Greater Manchester fire service under immense pressure as the fires on Winter Hill near Bolton continue to burn wildly, the public are being urged to take extra care in a bid to prevent any other serious incidents from occurring.

The past week has been described as “the busiest in living memory for greater Manchester Fire and Rescue.”

Paul Etches, Greater Manchester’s Head of Prevention said: "Our firefighters are tired but optimistic that we continue to make good progress.

"However, these moorland fires are not going away - it will take many more days of intense sweat and effort.

“I am so proud of our crews and what they are doing."

Meanwhile, donations of bottled energy drinks and energy bars for the brave people tackling the fires on the moors have been made by pupils and staff at Knowsley Primary School. 

These, along with a collection of £80 and a card thanking everyone for 'keeping us safe', were delivered to the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team over the weekend.