Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) has issued an update on the major wildfire at Tintwistle, near Glossop, with eerie new photos showing crews battling the blaze in thick smoke. Around 80 firefighters worked on the scene on Wednesday, and crews continue to contain and suppress the fire today.
Firefighting Operations Continue
The wildfire, which first broke out nearly three weeks ago above Woodhead Road, has burned an area the size of at least 350 football pitches. DFRS declared a major incident as the fire spread across the moorland. The main focus of operations today is near Arnfield Moor, with ground crews and aerial resources supported by neighbouring fire services and partner agencies.
In an update at 10:15 am on Thursday, July 16, DFRS said: "Firefighters returned this morning to the major wildfire incident at Tintwistle after scaling back operations overnight. Yesterday, around 80 firefighting personnel were working at the scene. Crews continue to contain and suppress the fire while protecting nearby communities, property and the environment."
Public Urged to Stay Away
The fire service urged people to continue to avoid the moorland and keep windows and doors closed if affected by smoke. "If you must travel through the area, please expect some disruption on the nearby section of the A628 while safe access to the incident scene is maintained," the update added. People in surrounding areas may see or smell smoke from the Tintwistle fire or from a separate wildfire at Dovestones Reservoir in Greater Manchester.
Dovestone Fire Also Rages
The blaze at Dovestone continues, with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) also declaring a major incident. On Wednesday, Incident Commander Paul Fearnhead described the area as "really, really challenging" as the extensive wildfire continued. "Currently we have around just short of ten fire engines, including our wildfire capabilities at this scene, and they're deployed across the moorlands in this warm weather, which is being hampered by smoke and wind," he said.
Firefighters were first called to Dovestone on Saturday night, and a major incident was declared on Monday afternoon with 70 firefighters tackling the blaze. Residents reported hearing loud bangs prior to the fire, with videos showing youths setting off fireworks. The incident came after Karl Holland, 18, died after getting into difficulty at Dovestone Reservoir. A woman, Shania Care-Slede, 20, has been charged with arson and appeared in court on Tuesday.
Ongoing Efforts
DFRS confirmed that crews will remain in action throughout the day, tackling hotspots in the Digsbury Intake, Featherbed Moss, and Crowden areas. The service thanked the public for their cooperation and urged continued support by avoiding the area.
