Firefighters have brought a wildfire at Saddleworth Moor under control after almost 24 hours of battling the blaze in heatwave conditions, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has said.
The fire broke out on Wednesday night off Holmfirth Road, and at its height covered an area measuring 500 metres by 150 metres, with eight crews at the scene. Drone pictures show a huge area of scorched moorland, with smoke blowing across the road.
Crews remain at the scene
Crews remain at the scene on Thursday night, damping down hotspots and using tactical measures to prevent the wildfire spreading. Holmfirth Road remains closed between Dovestone and Greenfield reservoirs.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews remain at the scene of a moorland fire near Holmfirth Road in Oldham, having worked through the night and in extremely hot conditions today to bring the wildfire under control. Firefighters are currently damping down hotspots and using tactical measures to prevent the wildfire spreading. Residents nearby should avoid the area and shut their windows and doors if smoke is visible. A road closure is still in place on Holmfirth Road between Dovestone and Greenfield reservoirs."
Summer of wildfires
The blaze comes after wildfires have ravaged Greater Manchester and sections of the UK over the summer. Major blazes erupted at Dovestone and Tintwistle, with the fires damaging nearly 1,000 acres of land.
