A huge blaze ripped through Dove Stone Reservoir last night - destroying a massive area of new woodland which was planted by local volunteers.
Site manager for the Oldham beauty spot, Kate Hanley, said the fire on Saturday evening (19 March) burned around two and a half football pitches worth of land.
The area of woodland affected was planted in 2012 by residents from the local community. Staff from the RSPB and volunteers will now have to replace the trees that were destroyed in the fire.
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Police are said to have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, but Ms Hanley issued a renewed plea to the public not to have BBQs or campfires in the countryside.
Firefighters were deployed to tackle the large moorland fire in Saddleworth last night. The blaze is thought to have largely been located around the Binn Green area.
Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were fighting the blaze throughout Saturday evening. Police closed off roads nearby. Pictures show a large fire on the moors, with columns of smoke high in the air. The blaze could be seen for miles around.
It is the second such fire in two days, with a separate smaller blaze dealt with by firefighters on Friday (March 18). This is the latest in a number of fires on Saddleworth Moor, with crews regularly called out to extinguish wildfires, often started by people using barbecues.
Speaking to the M.E.N, Ms Hanley said: "Sadly fires in the Peak District are no longer an uncommon occurence. This particular fire at Dove Stone last night burned about one hectare of new woodland, which was planted in 2021 with our amazing volunteers from the local community.
"This is a blow to carbon sequestration, biodiversity and also to the community who helped us create this woodland. However, we will not let this get us down!
"RSPB staff and our wonderful and hard working volunteers will be out next week replacing those trees that died. We are working with the police to determine the cause of this fire."
The RSPB and United Utilities say they are working hard to restore the moorlands to become more resilient to fires. Every fire, whether accidental or deliberate puts their progress back a step.
They are reissuing calls to the public not to have a BBQ or campfire - or fire of any sort including fireworks and lanterns - on the moors.
Dove Stone and much of the surrounding moorland is already covered by a Public Space Protection Order, which means that anyone having fires of any kind could be fined or face more severe penalties.
"We ask the public, as they are out and about enjoying the wonderful countryside, to please be extra vigilant for fire and smoke," the RSPB said.
"Any smoke or fire at all, no matter how small, please call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service as soon as you can. Use what3words to help them know your location and give as much detail as you can about where the fire is and what it looks like.
"It is much better to report a small fire so that it can be put out before it gets big! Do not attempt to tackle a fire yourself."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "This evening (19 March) firefighters from across Greater Manchester battled a moorland wildfire in the Greenfield area of Oldham, near Dovestones Reservoir.
"The fire was approximately 300m x 100m. GMFRS deployed the air unit to survey the scene and used specialist off road vehicles to support their efforts. The fire has now been extinguished."
