Residents across Greater Manchester have reported a strong smell of smoke and hazy skies on Thursday, caused by a large moorland fire raging on the hills above Glossop. The fire, which broke out on Tintwistle Moor at around 10pm on Wednesday evening, has sent plumes of smoke drifting over areas including Oldham, Middleton, and Ashton, with pictures showing a fog-like haze over the M60 motorway.
Fire Details and Response
The Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the fire is affecting approximately 400 square metres of moorland and woodland. Firefighters from Derbyshire and Manchester, supported by a water carrier, welfare unit, and command support unit, are continuing to tackle the wildfire. The A628 Woodhead Pass has been closed between the Gun Inn, Mottram Moor A57, and the roundabout at Flouch, junction with the A616, due to the fire's proximity to the road.
A spokesperson for the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters from Derbyshire and Manchester, supported by a water carrier, welfare unit, and command support unit are continuing to tackle a wildfire at Tintwistle Moor. The A628 Woodhead Pass is currently closed between the Gun Inn, Mottram Moor A57 to the roundabout at Flouch, junction with the A616." They added: "We would like to say a huge thank you to our colleagues and partners, including those from the Peak District Fire Operations Group (FOG) who are working alongside us at the incident, for their continued efforts. Thanks also go to our communities for their cooperation and patience at this time."
Public Health Advice
People have been urged to avoid the area, and residents living nearby are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke. The fire comes as the region experiences a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 32°C in Manchester on Thursday. The current hot weather is driven by a “heat-dome” – an area of high pressure that stalls over a region and traps heat – settling over western Europe and bringing extreme conditions across the continent.
Weather Outlook
Relief may be on the way, with a warning of thunderstorms in place overnight on Thursday across the region. Temperatures could peak at 34°C on Friday before cooling down over the weekend. The combination of dry conditions and high temperatures has heightened the risk of wildfires, with the moorland fire serving as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the current heatwave.
