Authorities have moved to 'amber alert' over concerns about a possible wildfire at a Bolton beauty spot.
In 2018, Winter Hill and the surrounding moorland was decimated by a huge blaze which burned for 42 days. Recently other fires have broken out on moors across the country as people enjoy the unseasonably good weather.
Now, the Woodland Trust, which manages much of the land around Winter Hill and the huge Smithills Estate, has called on visitors to the area to help. Anyone who spots signs of a fire should call 999, they say.
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Nationally there have been 24 fires in the last five days alone and earlier this month a huge blaze ripped through Dovestone Reservoir destroying a massive area of new woodland which was planted by local volunteers. An area the size two and a half football pitches was lost.
Tracey Garrett, who heads up the Smithills Estate for the Woodland Trust, said: “The Woodland Trust Smithills Estate is calling on visitors to be extra vigilant when they visit the Smithills Estate or Winter Hill. With several large fires breaking out on moorlands around the country already the site is already on an amber fire warning.
“If visitors to the moors see a fire they should immediately call 999 and ask for the fire service. It is critical that we avoid a repeat of the moorland fires experienced in 2018 which saw huge swathes of Winter Hill ravaged by fire and resulted in 500 hectares of damaged moorland, it took 42 days to get under control.
“A scheme of restoration of the Winter Hill moors has been ongoing to rewet the area and includes planting 89,000 sphagnum moss plants, building 653 peat dams and installing four stone dams. All of this is aimed at keeping the water on top of the moors, improving conservation and helping reduce fire risk. “
