Shania Care-Slede, a 20-year-old woman from Hyde, is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court charged with aggravated arson and dangerous driving in connection with the wildfire at Dovestone Reservoir near Oldham. The charges come as fire crews continue to battle two major wildfires on the outskirts of Manchester.
Charges and Court Appearance
Care-Slede, of Market Street, Hyde, has been charged with aggravated arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving. She has been remanded into custody and will appear in court on July 14. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed the charges relate to the ongoing fire at Dovestones Reservoir, which remains under investigation.
A GMP spokesperson stated: "These charges relate to an ongoing fire at Dovestones Reservoir, which remains under investigation. Officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved."
Wildfire Emergency Response
Firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were first called to Dovestone on Saturday night. A major incident was declared on Monday afternoon as crews worked to contain the blaze amid hot weather conditions. Around 70 firefighters, 11 fire engines, and four wildfire units have been deployed to tackle the flames.
The Dovestone wildfire, along with a separate major fire at Tintwistle Moor near Glossop, has blanketed parts of Greater Manchester in plumes of smoke, raising concerns about local air quality. The Tintwistle blaze, which first broke out on June 24 during a heatwave, has burned an area equivalent to 350 football pitches, and officials say firefighting operations will continue for some time.
Ongoing Investigation
Detective Inspector Andrew Day said: "While we have secured charges against one individual, our investigation remains ongoing. Detectives are carefully reviewing all available evidence to identify anyone else who may have been involved in criminality linked to this incident." He added: "We're committed to pursuing all those responsible. Anyone identified as having committed a criminal offence can expect to be robustly dealt with."
Care-Slede is not suspected of any connection to the Tintwistle fire. GMP has thanked the public for sharing video footage and urged people to avoid speculation online as criminal proceedings are active.
