Exhausted firefighters will be helped by 100 soldiers as they tackle a vast moorland blaze in Greater Manchester, which fire chiefs fear will last for several weeks as the scorching weather continues.

The troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, on Thursday joined more than 100 firefighters who have been working rolling 12-hour shifts to tackle the seven square miles of Saddleworth Moor, smouldering with pockets of fire since Sunday.

An RAF Chinook is also on stand-by should Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) request helicopter help to airlift heavy equipment to high ground on the tinder-dry moors.

Problems faced included frequent changes in wind direction, the peat-embedded terrain that requires large quantities of water to extinguish flames and the searing temperatures.

Fire chiefs revealed on Thursday morning that the operation could last for weeks, amid fears that a change in wind direction could draw flames closer towards residential areas.</s>As hundreds of soldiers were deployed to help battle the blaze, the fire crew warned that a lack of rain could mean the flames are not extinguished for weeks. Tony Hunter, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said in an early morning press conference that he is “extremely pleased” that troops have been dispatched to help firefighters. He said the military will provide "effective support and additional resources" and an RAF helicopter is also available. But he warned that the extremely dry conditions meant the moorland peat had been transformed into vast swathes of fuel which would burn easily without any significant rain. “We have no indication of rain forecast,” he told reporters.

“So as a result we can see this being prolonged for days if not weeks.” He said that, currently, wind is drawing the fire away from the centre of the moorland but added: “We only need a change in the wind direction to blow it back into the centre of the moor to a greater source of fuel [and] we could see a dramatic change.” He said for rain to dampen the conditions it would need to be a “significant downpour” because it is so dry after days of scorching weather across the UK. About 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter are due to arrive in Greater Manchester today to help tackle the moorland blaze. Some 55 firefighters were still trying to quell multiple pockets of flames spanning seven square miles. **Saddleworth Moor fire map: Where has Saddleworth Moor fire spread? What is it famous for?**

“We can see this being prolonged for days if not weeks” Mr Hunter conceded that the fire was the biggest in one location that his force had tackled in living memory. Horrific photographs reveal the extent of the damage with a scorched lamb tragically found stranded on the burning landscape. Helicopters have been pictured dropping gallons of water onto the flames in a bid to halt their spread, amid suggestions from locals that off-road motorcyclists riding the moorlands on Sunday ignited the blaze. The smoke engulfing homes has been described as dangerous with health officials forcing families to wear dust masks and to stay indoors. The inferno has raged across four miles of the Pennines beauty spot near Greater Manchester, decimating the moorlands in its wake.

A major incident was declared yesterday morning as the blaze worsened, with 34 homes evacuated. A public health warning has now been issued about pollution in the air. The task now facing crews is frequently shifting as changes in wind directions create fresh problem areas amid the ongoing heatwave, with temperatures reaching around 94F (33C) in the sun. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I pay tribute to our armed forces' professionalism, dedication and sense of duty. “They are proving once again that Britain can always depend on our troops to protect us no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem.” Daily Star Online yesterday revealed the blaze could destroy any hope of finding the final resting place of one of the Moors Murders victims.</s>An “unprecedented” moorland fire has been raging for five days near Manchester.

Extended hot and dry conditions created a tinderbox effect at Saddleworth Moor in the north of the Peak District.

The British Army have been called in to support firefighters in dealing with the widespread flames.

Spanning seven miles, it has been described as the biggest moorland fire in living memory.

You can see the sheer scale of the blaze in the video above.

Advice has been issued on how you can help prevent the “human error” causes of fires in rural Northumberland.

A Northumberland Wildlife Trust spokeswoman has urged people to be “careful and vigilant”.

She said: “Everything is already dry and it is just going to get dryer because this weather is going to continue.

“Just be very careful and vigilant about what you do and the impact it can have.

“Fires this serious are usually caused by human error by things just being left. If you see discarded items like glass bottles or cigarette ends please pick them up.”

Areas such as Whitelee Moor in Northumberland are at risk because areas of dense heather become very dry.

Top layers of peat, with its high carbon content, also work as a fuel to keep the fires burning.

What has happened near Manchester shows how quickly the fires can spread, helped by the wind.

Temperatures are expected to cool off slightly over the next week, but the forecast also includes a low chance of rain.

When did the Saddleworth Moor fire start?

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was first called out to the moorland in Tameside on Sunday night.

Crews spent hours trying to extinguish the initial blaze, but such was the heat it reignited the following morning.

From there it has continued to expand.

By Tuesday night the fire had been labelled a “major incident” by Greater Manchester Police.

Stalybridge MP Jonathan Reynolds said “nothing has happened in living memory on the scale of this” and it was “almost an apocalyptic scene”.

How is it being tackled?

GMFRS have more than 100 firefighters working throughout the day at the scene.

Assistant chief fire officer Tony Hunter said: “The fire is contained at the moment, but we only need a change of wind direction to see the fire increase.

“We are working hard to keep on top of the blaze.”

Assistant chief fire officer Leon Parkes added: “Our fire crews have been working in tremendously difficult circumstances and I would like to thank all of our firefighters, partners, volunteers and the public for their support and hard work throughout this incident.”

Helicopters are being used to pick up water from reservoirs and drop it onto the edges of the flames.

Soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS) arrived to help out fire crews on Thursday.

This has allowed GMFRS to free up resources to answer other emergency calls.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I pay tribute to our Armed Forces’ professionalism, dedication and sense of duty.

“They are proving once again that Britain can always depend on our troops to protect us no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem.”

What has the environmental impact been?

More than 30 homes in Carrbrook near Stalybridge had to be evacuated because of the fire.

A cloud of smoke shrouded the village leading Public Health England to advise residents to keep windows and doors closed.

They added: “Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air condition and keep air vents closed.

“Anyone with respiratory conditions may be susceptible to smoke from the fire so is advised to carry and use medication.”

Some schools have had to shut. Cars, gardens and homes have been left covered in ash.

Hugh Coe, professor of atmospheric composition at the University of Manchester, said plume peak concentrations were “very high” and air quality close to the fire was “very poor”.

Pollution has been even detected, and smelled, in the centre of Manchester.

The cloud has even been visible on satellite images taken from space.

GMP’s Saddleworth Division said an estimated 2,000 acres of moorland had been destroyed by the fire.

They added the blaze had been “unprecedented in recent times and devastating to the moorland and wildlife that live there.”

Controlled burning will often take place in areas of heathland for the purposes of protecting grouse, but not on this scale.

LIVE updates from our sister site, the Manchester Evening News, as soldiers arrive on Saddleworth Moor to help firefighters</s>As hundreds of soldiers were deployed to help battle the blaze, the fire crew warned that a lack of rain could mean the flames are not extinguished for weeks. Tony Hunter, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said in an early morning press conference that he is “extremely pleased” that troops have been dispatched to help firefighters. He said the military will provide "effective support and additional resources" and an RAF helicopter is also available. But he warned that the extremely dry conditions meant the moorland peat had been transformed into vast swathes of fuel which would burn easily without any significant rain. “We have no indication of rain forecast,” he told reporters.

“So as a result we can see this being prolonged for days if not weeks.” He said that, currently, wind is drawing the fire away from the centre of the moorland but added: “We only need a change in the wind direction to blow it back into the centre of the moor to a greater source of fuel [and] we could see a dramatic change.” He said for rain to dampen the conditions it would need to be a “significant downpour” because it is so dry after days of scorching weather across the UK. About 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter are due to arrive in Greater Manchester today to help tackle the moorland blaze. Some 55 firefighters were still trying to quell multiple pockets of flames spanning seven square miles. **Saddleworth Moor fire map: Where has Saddleworth Moor fire spread? What is it famous for?**

“We can see this being prolonged for days if not weeks” Mr Hunter conceded that the fire was the biggest in one location that his force had tackled in living memory. Horrific photographs reveal the extent of the damage with a scorched lamb tragically found stranded on the burning landscape. Helicopters have been pictured dropping gallons of water onto the flames in a bid to halt their spread, amid suggestions from locals that off-road motorcyclists riding the moorlands on Sunday ignited the blaze. The smoke engulfing homes has been described as dangerous with health officials forcing families to wear dust masks and to stay indoors. The inferno has raged across four miles of the Pennines beauty spot near Greater Manchester, decimating the moorlands in its wake.

A major incident was declared yesterday morning as the blaze worsened, with 34 homes evacuated. A public health warning has now been issued about pollution in the air. The task now facing crews is frequently shifting as changes in wind directions create fresh problem areas amid the ongoing heatwave, with temperatures reaching around 94F (33C) in the sun. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I pay tribute to our armed forces' professionalism, dedication and sense of duty. “They are proving once again that Britain can always depend on our troops to protect us no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem.” Daily Star Online yesterday revealed the blaze could destroy any hope of finding the final resting place of one of the Moors Murders victims.</s>About 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter are due to arrive in Greater Manchester to help tackle a vast moorland blaze. The troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were being sent overnight to join firefighters across Tameside, on the edge of Saddleworth Moor. Some 55 firefighters were still trying to quell multiple pockets of flames spanning up to 3.7 miles (6km) on Wednesday night.

The soldiers were heading from their barracks in Catterick and will operate out of an Army training centre to control the fire by managing water lines and fire beating, among other means of support. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said it is a display of British troops protecting the UK “no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem”. The troops were answering a call for assistance from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

The Chinook, which will fly out of RAF Odiham, Hampshire, on Thursday morning, will move high-volume pump equipment by air to help douse the flames in difficult to access areas. Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at GMFRS, had also suggested it could be used to transport firefighters. He said firefighters were working “extremely hard in really hot conditions” but morale was high, adding: “It’s more of a task to get them down here to rest.”

Problems faced included frequent changes in wind direction, the peat-embedded terrain which requires large quantities of water to extinguish flames and the searing temperatures. As of Wednesday lunchtime there were seven separate fire incidents ongoing on areas of the moors, including Calico Crescent, Intake Cottage, Intake Lane, Caste Farm, Dovestones, Higher Swineshaw and Chew Road. Firefighters used beaters and specialist wildfire equipment to tackle the flames.

In addition, Greater Manchester Police deployed a helicopter to assess the scene and United Utilities provided a helicopter that can be used to drop water on to remote areas. The blaze had been brought under control having started on Sunday, but it reignited the next day and has continued in one of the worst moorland fires to hit the region. The impact could even be seen from space as Nasa satellites picked up the plumes of smoke.

Some 34 households were evacuated in Calico Crescent in the village of Carrbrook, Stalybridge, on Tuesday night but residents were allowed to return after air quality assessments. Air quality levels in the area are being monitored regularly in different locations with people in affected areas urged to follow advice from Public Health England and keep their windows and doors closed. Experts warned that high levels of pollutants generated from the blaze could have a significant effect on people’s health. Hugh Coe, professor of atmospheric composition at the University of Manchester, said plume peak concentrations were “very high” and air quality close to the fire was “very poor”. He said pollution plumes have been detected in the centre of Manchester. Four local schools decided to close on Wednesday for the safety of their pupils but one – Mossley Hollins High – will be open on Thursday as normal.</s>About 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter are due to arrive in Greater Manchester to help tackle a vast moorland blaze.

The troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were being sent overnight to join firefighters across Tameside, on the edge of Saddleworth Moor.

Some 55 firefighters were still trying to quell multiple pockets of flames spanning up to 3.7 miles (6km) last night.

An RAF Chinook helicopter will be used to aid the firefighting effort (Owen Humphries/PA)

The soldiers were heading from their barracks in Catterick and will operate out of an Army training centre to control the fire by managing water lines and fire beating, among other means of support.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said it is a display of British troops protecting the UK “no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem”.

The troops were answering a call for assistance from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

The Chinook, which will fly out of RAF Odiham, Hampshire, on Thursday morning, will move high-volume pump equipment by air to help douse the flames in difficult to access areas.

Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at GMFRS, had also suggested it could be used to transport firefighters.

He said firefighters were working “extremely hard in really hot conditions” but morale was high, adding: “It’s more of a task to get them down here to rest.”

The fire is covering an area of 3.7 miles (PA Graphics)

Problems faced included frequent changes in wind direction, the peat-embedded terrain which requires large quantities of water to extinguish flames and the searing temperatures.

As of Wednesday lunchtime there were seven separate fire incidents ongoing on areas of the moors, including Calico Crescent, Intake Cottage, Intake Lane, Caste Farm, Dovestones, Higher Swineshaw and Chew Road.

Firefighters used beaters and specialist wildfire equipment to tackle the flames.

In addition, Greater Manchester Police deployed a helicopter to assess the scene and United Utilities provided a helicopter that can be used to drop water on to remote areas.

The blaze had been brought under control having started on Sunday, but it reignited the next day and has continued in one of the worst moorland fires to hit the region.

The impact could even be seen from space as Nasa satellites picked up the plumes of smoke.

Some 34 households were evacuated in Calico Crescent in the village of Carrbrook, Stalybridge, on Tuesday night but residents were allowed to return after air quality assessments.

Air quality levels in the area are being monitored regularly in different locations with people in affected areas urged to follow advice from Public Health England and keep their windows and doors closed.

Experts warned that high levels of pollutants generated from the blaze could have a significant effect on people’s health.

Hugh Coe, professor of atmospheric composition at the University of Manchester, said plume peak concentrations were “very high” and air quality close to the fire was “very poor”.

He said pollution plumes have been detected in the centre of Manchester.

Four local schools decided to close on Wednesday for the safety of their pupils but one – Mossley Hollins High – will be open on Thursday as normal.

A helicopter drops water as firefighters tackle the wildfire on Saddleworth Moor (Peter Byrne/PA)

“The situation in the building and valley has improved,” the school said.

No rain is forecast for Tameside for the rest of the week at least.

The cause of the original seat of the fire – thought to be at Buckton Hill, which is land above Buckton Vale, Carrbrook – has not been established but fire chiefs said a detailed investigation would be launched at the appropriate time.

One possible line of inquiry could focus on the frequent gathering of off-road bikers – many not displaying registered plates – at a nearby large quarry.</s>Farmers whose sheep burned to death in the Saddleworth Moor fire say it was started by cigarette butts discarded by “brainless idiots”.

James Crowther, 30, who farms 5,000 acres, said five motorbike riders were seen on the moors on Sunday afternoon.

He said: “Two hours later the land was ablaze with 20-foot flames.

"When the fire moved on, it left behind something that looked liked a scorched desert.

“That’s when we found fag ends ­absolutely everywhere. What sort of brainless idiot throws a fag end down in the grass on the hottest day of the year?”

More than 100 firefighters have been tackling the blaze, east of Manchester, and yesterday 60 soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland arrived to help.

Tony Hunter, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said “significant improvements” had been made.

But he warned the fire could flare up again and a good downpour was needed to dampen down the vegetation. No rain is forecast as the heatwave continues.

The fire destroyed four square miles of moorland and blanketed a vast area in smoke.

Residents evacuated from their homes on Tuesday have all now returned, but some have reported bleeding noses, eye irritation and chest problems.

Dr Richard Bircher, of Lockside Medical Centre in Stalybridge, said: “Thankfully, the smoke is getting less, but the advice is to try to avoid it.”

Mr Crowther said he was suffering chest problems after spending almost 48 hours trying to tackle the blaze.

He said: “I’m shattered and my chest feels terrible, we didn’t have any specialist equipment, we just covered our faces with cloths.”

His sister Claire, 26, who helps run Upperwood Farm, said: “James and my other brother, Chris, have been working around the clock to try to protect their animals and land.

"We’ve found some dead sheep that were trapped by the blaze, but there’s a lot more missing.

“Everything has gone, all the wildlife, the land has been stripped bare.

"It’s going to take a lot of help and cash to sort out.”

Firefighters are also battling a second moorland blaze at Winter Hill near Bolton, 20 miles from Saddleworth.</s>Firefighters in Greater Manchester are continuing to battle a huge fire on Saddleworth Moor after working through the night to try to control the 6km-long blaze.

Thirty-four homes were evacuated on Tuesday night in Carrbrook, Stalybridge, close to the fire, which has been raging since Sunday between Dovestones reservoir and Buckton Vale. Power to 250 properties in the area was cut overnight “for safety reasons”, according to Electricity North West, but has since been restored.

Two schools nearby have been closed on Wednesday as a safety precaution, Tameside council said.

Q&A Tell us: how have you been affected? Show Hide Whether you live in the area, are visiting or work as a firefighter, police officer or emergency services worker we’d like to hear from you.

You can share your experiences by filling in this encrypted form – anonymously if you wish - or via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. One of our journalists may be in touch and we will consider some of your responses in our reporting. You can read terms of service here. Though we’d like to hear from you, your safety and security is most important. When responding please make sure you put your safety and the safety of others first. Extreme weather events can be very unpredictable and carry very real risks.

Ten fire engines and 50 firefighters were working overnight to contain the blaze, some walking several miles with heavy equipment, said Leon Parkes, the assistant chief fire officer with Greater Manchester fire and rescue service.

“The area is really, really large – it’s a really difficult fire situation because of the size of it.Some of the feedback we’ve received is that it’s over 6km,” he said on Wednesday.



“Clearly the challenges are enormous. We have firefighters working in really hot conditions. They’re doing everything they can to control that fire. As you can appreciate, firefighters will have fire kit on which is heavy, thick, warm – the ground is hot, the smoke coming off the fire is thick.

“The scenes of fire are not where we can access. Some of them are two miles away (from where we can park).”

The fire service planned a “heavy attack” on the fire on Wednesday, he added.

“The plan today is to try and put some resource on the scene, and put a heavy attack on this fire – if that needs military assistance, that’s what we’ll consider,” he said.

He said it had not been established what might have caused the fire.

Play Video 0:31 Firefighters tackle Manchester moorland fire – video

The police have declared the blaze a major incident and said the army was on standby to step in.

The force tweeted: “We are in contact with the army and they are on standby to help if we need them.”

Greater Manchester police declared a major incident as flames crept close to the city’s eastern suburbs, having already devastated surrounding areas of countryside.

Jonny Reynolds, the MP for Stalybridge, described the scenes as “apocalyptic” and “looking like Mordor from Lord of the Rings”.

He said: “It’s pretty worrying stuff. They’re talking about the affected area being 6km wide, which puts it on a scale much beyond what we have seen in the past. We do get moorland fires pretty regularly in Saddleworth – most years there is at least one, but this is much worse. Most people are saying it’s the worst moorland fire we’ve had in living memory. I don’t ever remember schools being closed as a result of a fire.



“Last night it looked apocalyptic with the full moon rising below the hills on fire. It looked like Mordor from Lord of the Rings, really frightening for people.”



The MP warned that the army may need to be deployed soon, particularly if the wind picked up. “If this doesn’t get turned around today we might genuinely be looking at some sort of military resources being deployed to the area,” he said.



“You can’t relax because the weather could reverse the progress the firefighters are making. On Monday, the fire had pretty much gone out but then it reignited in these hot temperatures.”



All residents evacuated on Tuesday night found beds with friends and family, he said. Should more people have to leave their homes and have nowhere to go, emergency shelters would open up, he added.



He praised local people for offering help. Tameside Rocks, a community children’s group that paints rocks and hides them around the borough, has painted a batch to thank the firefighters, while Tesco in Stalybridge has given its entire supply of bottled water to the emergency services, he said.



Health officials had earlier issued advice to people in the Tameside area to stay inside their homes and keep their doors and windows closed in order to deal with the smoke coming from the moor.

Triangle News (@TriangleNewsUK) Incredible timelapse footage of the forest fire in Saddleworth, Manchester has been captured by amateur photographer Tristan Manchester. pic.twitter.com/3Aef8qOcBE

Firefighters were forced to undertake “physically draining” work as a heatwave gripped much of Britain on Tuesday, Greater Manchester fire and rescue service said. They were “faced with very difficult circumstances, intense heat” and were “working on challenging terrain”, added the group manager for Tameside and Stockport, Phil Nelson.

Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, paid tribute to the firefighters.

Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) Huge thanks to the GM firefighters working flat out to contain this worrying situation. If you live in the area, please follow the advice. https://t.co/3Bc1FSLDLl

G M Police (@gmpolice) Dawn over the moors has revealed what we're dealing with...



This morning's view from @gmpolice HQ



Our thoughts are with those affected and @manchesterfire who have worked bravely through the night.



It is going to be a long, hot, smoky day. #Staysafe out there#Moorefires pic.twitter.com/jXH2aATFfE

The fire started late on Sunday evening on land near to Buckton Vale, to the north of Stalybridge. While firefighters were soon able to put it out, “due to the heat, the fire reignited on Tuesday morning”.

Firefighters said the blaze had “devastated a portion of the area near to Buckton Vale”, with about 2 sq km of moorland on fire. They added a “significant amount of low lying smoke has been discharged in the local area”.

G M Police (@gmpolice) We are in contact with the army and they are on standby to help if we need them. Right now support is being given from @CheshireFire and @DerbyshireFRS #Moorlandfires

Public Health England’s north-west office advised motorists who had to travel through the smoke to keep their windows closed, turn off their air conditioning and keep their air vents closed. It said: “If people need to be outdoors, they are advised to avoid areas affected by any smoke or ash, or to limit the time that they spend in them.”



Huge plumes of smoke stretching along moorland could be seen in pictures and footage from near the scenes.

Derbyshire firefighters were also called in to help tackle the blaze on Saddleworth Moor and were seen beating down moorland in images released by the fire service on Monday. The force described it as “hard, hot and exhausting work”, and warned people to be careful while enjoying the outdoors.

Derbyshire FRS (@DerbyshireFRS) A few pictures showing firefighters hard at work using beaters to fight the fire at Tintwistle. It’s hard, hot exhausting work! Please take extra care when out in the countryside - a stray cigarette, a discarded glass bottle, or a spark from a BBQ can all cause untold devastation pic.twitter.com/Tb44M8qctI

Dozens of firefighters had to also tackle a blaze on moorland in Rivington, Lancashire. The region’s deputy chief fire officer, Justin Johnston, said: “We’ve been aware that this might occur given the long dry spell. Fortunately, crews are well trained and well equipped with special wildfire procedures.”</s>About 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter are due to arrive in Greater Manchester to help tackle a vast moorland blaze.

The troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were being sent overnight to join firefighters across Tameside, on the edge of Saddleworth Moor.

Some 55 firefighters were still trying to quell multiple pockets of flames spanning up to 3.7 miles (6km) on Wednesday night.

The soldiers were heading from their barracks in Catterick and will operate out of an Army training centre to control the fire by managing water lines and fire beating, among other means of support.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said it is a display of British troops protecting the UK "no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem".

The troops were answering a call for assistance from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

The Chinook, which will fly out of RAF Odiham, Hampshire, on Thursday morning, will move high-volume pump equipment by air to help douse the flames in difficult to access areas.

Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at GMFRS, had also suggested it could be used to transport firefighters.

He said firefighters were working "extremely hard in really hot conditions" but morale was high, adding: "It's more of a task to get them down here to rest."

Problems faced included frequent changes in wind direction, the peat-embedded terrain which requires large quantities of water to extinguish flames and the searing temperatures.

As of Wednesday lunchtime there were seven separate fire incidents ongoing on areas of the moors, including Calico Crescent, Intake Cottage, Intake Lane, Caste Farm, Dovestones, Higher Swineshaw and Chew Road.

GALLERY: The photos which show the devastation caused by the Saddleworth Moor fire



Firefighters used beaters and specialist wildfire equipment to tackle the flames.

In addition, Greater Manchester Police deployed a helicopter to assess the scene and United Utilities provided a helicopter that can be used to drop water on to remote areas.

The blaze had been brought under control having started on Sunday, but it reignited the next day and has continued in one of the worst moorland fires to hit the region.

The impact could even be seen from space as Nasa satellites picked up the plumes of smoke.

Some 34 households were evacuated in Calico Crescent in the village of Carrbrook, Stalybridge, on Tuesday night but residents were allowed to return after air quality assessments.

Air quality levels in the area are being monitored regularly in different locations with people in affected areas urged to follow advice from Public Health England and keep their windows and doors closed.

Experts warned that high levels of pollutants generated from the blaze could have a significant effect on people's health.

Hugh Coe, professor of atmospheric composition at the University of Manchester, said plume peak concentrations were "very high" and air quality close to the fire was "very poor".

He said pollution plumes have been detected in the centre of Manchester.

Four local schools decided to close on Wednesday for the safety of their pupils but one - Mossley Hollins High - will be open on Thursday as normal.

"The situation in the building and valley has improved," the school said.

No rain is forecast for Tameside for the rest of the week at least.

The cause of the original seat of the fire - thought to be at Buckton Hill, which is land above Buckton Vale, Carrbrook - has not been established but fire chiefs said a detailed investigation would be launched at the appropriate time.

One possible line of inquiry could focus on the frequent gathering of off-road bikers - many not displaying registered plates - at a nearby large quarry.</s>About 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter are due to arrive in Greater Manchester to help tackle a vast moorland blaze. The troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were being sent overnight to join firefighters across Tameside, on the edge of Saddleworth Moor. Some 55 firefighters were still trying to quell multiple pockets of flames spanning up to 3.7 miles (6km) on Wednesday night.

The soldiers were heading from their barracks in Catterick and will operate out of an Army training centre to control the fire by managing water lines and fire beating, among other means of support. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said it is a display of British troops protecting the UK “no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem”. The troops were answering a call for assistance from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

The Chinook, which will fly out of RAF Odiham, Hampshire, on Thursday morning, will move high-volume pump equipment by air to help douse the flames in difficult to access areas. Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at GMFRS, had also suggested it could be used to transport firefighters. He said firefighters were working “extremely hard in really hot conditions” but morale was high, adding: “It’s more of a task to get them down here to rest.”

Problems faced included frequent changes in wind direction, the peat-embedded terrain which requires large quantities of water to extinguish flames and the searing temperatures. As of Wednesday lunchtime there were seven separate fire incidents ongoing on areas of the moors, including Calico Crescent, Intake Cottage, Intake Lane, Caste Farm, Dovestones, Higher Swineshaw and Chew Road. Firefighters used beaters and specialist wildfire equipment to tackle the flames.

In addition, Greater Manchester Police deployed a helicopter to assess the scene and United Utilities provided a helicopter that can be used to drop water on to remote areas. The blaze had been brought under control having started on Sunday, but it reignited the next day and has continued in one of the worst moorland fires to hit the region. The impact could even be seen from space as Nasa satellites picked up the plumes of smoke.

Some 34 households were evacuated in Calico Crescent in the village of Carrbrook, Stalybridge, on Tuesday night but residents were allowed to return after air quality assessments. Air quality levels in the area are being monitored regularly in different locations with people in affected areas urged to follow advice from Public Health England and keep their windows and doors closed. Experts warned that high levels of pollutants generated from the blaze could have a significant effect on people’s health. Hugh Coe, professor of atmospheric composition at the University of Manchester, said plume peak concentrations were “very high” and air quality close to the fire was “very poor”. He said pollution plumes have been detected in the centre of Manchester. Four local schools decided to close on Wednesday for the safety of their pupils but one – Mossley Hollins High – will be open on Thursday as normal.
Greater Manchester Police declares a major incident as a wildfire continues to spread on Saddleworth Moor, forcing nearby homes to be evacuated. The fire is described as the "biggest in living memory" in the United Kingdom. Army assistance is granted to tackle the blaze.