Embers continue to burn on moorland near Greater Manchester after a large fire broke out yesterday. Crews have been on Marsden Moor in West Yorkshire, just over the border from Saddleworth, for more than 24 hours.
It's the seventh fire to take place on Marsden Moor so far this year, with crews having to work in warm, dry conditions. Work is continuing to stop the blaze from spreading, with the burnt area now measuring at around 2km square.
Firefighters are tackling hotspots where it is feared burning embers could reignite the dry grass. Station manager Adrian Bairstow, who has been leading the operation for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) since the early hours of this morning, says crews put the flames out last night (May 22) - but an area reignited this morning, with flames stretching to 1km in length.
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“This morning was the best time to attack the flames as it was cool and there was hardly any wind,” Mr Bairstow said. “What we are left with now is a large black area of burnt vegetation measuring around 2km square.
“There are several hot spots within that area where embers are still burning away, but we have now managed to get rid of the flames. Crews are now walking around the perimeter, extinguishing any hot spots at the edges to stop the fire spreading onto fresh grass.
“The fire has spread so quickly because the dry grass burns easily and with this warm weather we know there is no rain coming. Dealing with a fire on this scale is exhausting work for firefighters who have been using beaters and blowers as well as the Argocat.”
WYFRS now has a relief crew in attendance off Wessenden Road, Marsden. A wildfire unit, wildlife support and welfare team have also been called out.
Mr Bairstow says blowers, which are similar leaf blowers used by gardeners, have been effective in tackling the fire. An Argocat all-terrain vehicle, with jets to put the flames out, has also been instrumental in fighting the blaze.
“Our wildfire crews have new protective equipment, which includes lighter overalls – as you can imagine, fighting a fire on a warm day can be very tiring in full firefighters kit,” added Mr Bairstow. “We know that this is the seventh fire on Marsden Moor so far this year and we do our best each time to protect the valuable moors and this Site of Special Scientific Interest, famous for its rare ground-nesting birds and blanket peat bogs which are affected by these fires. Investigations will be taking place into the cause of the fire.”
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