A wildfire on Tintwistle Moor near Greater Manchester has continued to burn for a fifth consecutive day, with helicopter footage revealing smouldering ground and charred moorland. Emergency services first attended the scene on Wednesday evening, June 24, and the blaze has persisted overnight and throughout the weekend.
Fire Crews Battle Blaze Across Derbyshire and Greater Manchester
For five days, fire crews from Derbyshire and Greater Manchester have worked to tackle the moorland fire, which sent huge plumes of smoke into the sky and scorched the ground and nearby woodland. Although the fire has scaled down, new helicopter footage shows parts of the charred ground continuing to burn. 'Strong progress has been made,' the fire service said on Monday, June 29, with no further spread on the eastern part of the blaze.
The incident initially forced police to close the busy Woodhead Pass route in both directions. Other road closures were implemented as an 'avoid the area' warning was put in place last Wednesday. Residents living in nearby towns and villages, including Hadfield, Mottram, and Glossop, were told to keep their windows and doors closed.
Smoke Detected Miles Away
The scale of the inferno meant the smouldering air could be smelt as far as Crumpsall, Rivington, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, and Rochdale. People took to social media to complain of a strong stench in posts shared in various local Facebook groups. Dramatic pictures and videos showed huge plumes of smoke billowing from Tintwistle Moor, covering the nearby area and visible for miles. One image taken during Thursday afternoon from a Jet2 flight to Leeds showed the scale of the fire from an aerial view.
Fire Contained but Still Burning
The blaze was 'contained' on Friday, June 26, it was confirmed in an update, after 200 hectares of moorland were left badly scorched by the flames. However, parts of the moorland continued to burn. On Sunday, June 28, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said they had returned to the site for a fourth day along with specialist mountain rescue teams. A footpath, Pennine Way, was shut off on Sunday amid the response. United Utilities helicopters were once again drafted in as the fire burnt 'deep in the peat bogs.'
Ongoing Efforts and Weather Forecast
On Monday, fire crews and mountain rescue units from nearby Glossop continued to work at the scene. New footage showed how large swathes of moorland had been left scorched by the huge fire. 'The Tintwistle Moor wildfire has now been burning for over five days. Operational crews and officers and the Peak District Fire Operations Group continue to work tirelessly to bring the incident to a safe and effective conclusion,' a spokesperson for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue said.
'Strong progress has been made. The western flank now has very few hotspots, while the eastern flank, which was our main concern yesterday due to a 600-metre smoke plume, has been substantially reduced and there has been no further spread. The woodland on the southern flank remains a key area of concern because thick smoke has built up and is lingering throughout the area. Improved road access and ongoing helicopter support are helping responders tackle the fire from the ground and the air. The cooler weather forecast over the next two to three days is expected to aid our firefighting efforts.'
