Firefighters battling flames on the moors say they are “incredibly grateful” after locals fed and watered them. Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working tirelessly for days to control a fire at Dovestone Reservoir. They are also working at Swineshaw on a separate incident that also requires a multi-agency response.
Gratitude and Warnings
In an update this afternoon, GMFRS said they are “incredibly grateful for the kindness and generosity being shown by local communities”, but said the best way to support them is by avoiding the area. Specialist units and air support have made progress at Dovestone, where a fire began on Saturday evening. The incident at Swineshaw is said to remain “a complex and active incident”.
Meanwhile, a wildfire at Tintwistle, above Woodhead Road in Glossop - which first broke out nearly three weeks ago - is still being treated as a major incident by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Air Quality Impact
Residents across Greater Manchester have been warned that the wildfires may continue to blow smoke and fumes across the region. New data has revealed how badly the ongoing moorland fires are affecting air quality in almost all boroughs. As Charlotte Fisher reports, new air quality maps now show that all areas of Greater Manchester are classed as having air quality that is either moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups or unhealthy - with only the Shaw area of Oldham classed as having 'good' air quality with an AQI value of 50.
The air quality website IQ Air advises that an AQI value of around 0-50 represents good air quality. Stockport is still being hardest hit by the smoke, now shown as having an AQI value of 195 compared to 154 yesterday. Withington is also classed as having 'unhealthy' levels of smoke - now scoring at 174 AQI compared to around 97 AQI yesterday. Other badly hit areas this morning include Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Heald Green which have both moved into the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' category.
Barton Arcade at Risk
It has endured Covid, several recessions and being bombed during the Manchester Blitz. But campaigners fear Barton Arcade may not get through its latest challenge. The 150-year-old Grade II*-listed building is the city's only surviving example of the type of steel-framed, glass-covered Victorian shopping arcade that was once popular across northern town and cities. Inspired by the world-renowned Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, it's been described as a 'jewel' in Manchester's crown. Last week the grand and elegant arcade - which links Deansgate and St Ann's Square - was one of nine Greater Manchester buildings placed on SAVE Britain's national heritage at risk register.
Reform UK Candidate Interview
Over the last couple of months I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing the candidates standing in first, the Makerfield by-election and then, the Greater Manchester mayoral election. I recently spoke to Reform UK’s candidate Sian Astley. She’s a builder, interior designer and landlady who has only been in politics a few months - but already has grand plans for the region. She wants to “open up the books on contracts Andy Burnham awarded during his time as Labour’s Mayor”, look at the decisions he made about inquiries into grooming gangs and has promised to carry out a region-wide assessment of Greater Manchester’s social housing stock. She told me why, as a former Labour voter, she is representing Reform and why voters “absolutely love” Nigel Farage.
Prime Minister's Support for Burnham
Sir Keir Starmer has said he will give his wholehearted support to Andy Burnham while delivering his final Prime Minister's Questions today. During a surprisingly emotional PMQs, the Prime Minister was asked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch if he had any advice for his successor, who is set to take over the reins on Monday. “I will give my wholehearted support to my successor,” Sir Keir responded. “I want this Labour Government to be a success. I want our country to be a success. I shall give my support privately if asked for, not publicly when not asked for.”
