Firefighters tackled three separate moorland blazes around Greater Manchester yesterday.
Crews were called to fires at Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham, on moorland near Tintwistle just over the border from Tameside and on moorland near Ramsbottom last night.
They were the latest in a series of recent moorland fires near the region as hot weather creates tinder-dry conditions.
The first fire on Thursday broke out off Bamford Road in Ramsbottom at around 3pm.
Six fire engines from Lancashire Fire and Rescue, as well as two from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), tackled the blaze.
Residents who lived nearby were asked to keep windows and doors closed and people were asked to avoid the area.
The fire was brought under control and crews remained at the scene dampening down the area last night.
“No injuries have been reported and an investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway”, a statement on the Lancashire Fire website said.
(Image: Brian Banawich)
A second fire broke out at Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield, Oldham, just before 10pm.
Two fire engines, two wildfire units and two wildfire support units were called to the blaze on Bank Lane.
The fire broke out on moorland and on a woodland area, a GMFRS spokesperson said.
Dramatic pictures taken at the scene showed huge flames and billows of smoke coming from above the reservoir.
(Image: Brian Banawich)
Crews have brought the fire under control.
“Firefighters remain at the scene at this time dampening down remaining hotspots”, the spokesperson added.
Crews also tackled a moorland fire just over the border from Tameside in Tintwistle at about 11pm.
A dramatic picture of the fire showed smoke billowing into the air.
(Image: MEN/UGC)
The flames from the blaze could be seen for miles around, according to comments on social media.
High Peak MP Robert Largan tweeted: “Yet another fire on the moors around Tintwistle.
“Really worrying and frustrating that this keeps happening.”
Firefighters from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service were understood to be at the scene last night.
(Image: Chris Holmes)
No further details have been provided as yet.
The fires come as campaigns have been launched aimed at promoting safer use of instant barbecues in a bid to prevent fires.
The National Fire Chiefs Council has issued warnings over the number of instant barbecue-related fires, both in outdoor spaces and in the home when used on balconies or too close to garden fences and trees.
Paul Duggan, area manager and head of prevention at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The memories of the moorland fires in 2018 remain fresh in the mind of everyone involved, from our firefighters who worked incredibly hard to put the fires out, to the residents who were forced from their homes.
“Moorland and wildfires can be started in a number of ways.
“Sadly, many fires in the countryside are started deliberately, however, some can break out by people being careless with barbecues, campfires or not disposing of cigarettes properly.”
