Around 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter have been sent to tackle fires near Saddleworth Moor, the Ministry of Defence has said.

Fire chiefs called in the military to move high-volume pump equipment by air to help douse the vast moorland blaze, which has raged for days.

More than 100 Greater Manchester firefighters continue to tackle seven pockets of fire in an area spanning up to 6km across Tameside.

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

Police declared the fire a “major incident” and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer Dave Keelan said: "We have been liaising with a military advisor on the scene and following those discussions we have requested military assistance from the Ministry of Defence."</s>Fire crews will launch a “heavy attack” to combat a vast moorland blaze which led to the evacuation of a number of homes. Pockets of fire continue to burn across a six-kilometre area of Saddleworth Moor on Wednesday as 50 firefighters work in “tremendously difficult conditions” to contain the situation amid the ongoing heatwave. Among the affected areas is the village of Carrbrook, in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, where 34 households in the Calico Crescent area were evacuated on Tuesday night as a precaution when strong winds pushed flames near their properties. A major incident was declared and the Army remains on standby as Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) put in a plan of action to douse the fire which initially broke out on Sunday afternoon before it reignited the following day and has since worsened.

Leon Parkes, GMFRS assistant chief fire officer, said: “Fire crews have been working in tremendously difficult conditions in the heat and smoke. “We are doing an assessment on the scene this morning and then we will be putting a plan of attack together for the rest of the day. “We’ve got over six kilometres of affected area – there is fire occurring in pockets around the outskirts. So we have got a belt of fire and obviously the wind direction at the time will have an affect on that.

“The seats of fire are not where we can access. We are having to park fire engines up and some of the fire scenes are two miles away so we are having to use other vehicles supplied by our partner agencies to transport firefighters and kit into those areas. “The plan today is to try and really, really put some resource on the scene and put a heavy attack on this fire, and if that needs military assistance then that’s what we’ll consider.” Mr Parkes added: “This fire is particularly large. We’ve got lots of experience with dealing with moor fires but this particular incident is vast – it’s presented some real challenges to the fire and rescue service in terms of our access, the conditions for firefighters that they have been working in and obviously the wind encourages the fire to spread. “We have been dealing with an escalating incident and we are trying to get on top of it now.”

In Carrbrook, the morning sun struggled to break through with smoke still hanging thick in the air and ash floating to the ground. Paula Tootell, who lives in Calico Crescent, said her neighbours were evacuated while she was told by police to keep her windows and doors shut and stay inside until they were told to move out as the flames raged nearby. Ms Tootell said: “The hills were on fire, it came closer and closer to the properties. Lots of fire engines arrived, we were told that they were putting pipes all around the estate for safety really. “Houses across the road and further in, nearer to the fields, were evacuated and we were told to be on alert. “We could see lots of flames on the hills and the whole of the hills was just red. It was bizarre, and so much smoke, you couldn’t see in front of your face at some points. “The whole of the hill was just on flame, like a bid red ring around the hills. You could see flames literally along the whole of the hill.”</s>A holidaymaker has captured a series of photos of a huge fire that has been spreading over moorland between Derbyshire and Greater Manchester.

Firefighters have been battling the blaze on Saddleworth Moor since Tuesday.

Crews from Derbyshire have been in attendance at the scene, helping colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service with the fire, which has now been declared a major incident.

Derbyshire firefighters continue to help with huge moorland fire - now declared a major incident

Kate MacRea, 48, captured these images of the early stages of the fire from a plane when she was returning to Manchester Airport.

She said: "It was about 7pm on Monday when I was coming in to land that I noticed the smoke.

"It looked like a volcano with the plumes of smoke rising up into the air. I took some pictures on my phone through the plane window and thought nothing more about it.

"It was only when I saw the blaze on the telly last night I realised I had photographed the early stages of it.

"From a distance, it looked like a huge volcanic eruption."

On Tuesday night, 34 homes on Calico Crescent in Carrbrook were evacuated due to their proximity to the fire.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Fire Officer Leon Parkes said there are ten fire engines and 50 firefighters at the scene facing "enormous" challenges against the blaze which has "pockets" occurring in different areas.

Smoke and flames can still be seen for miles but Mr Parkes said crews had "quelled the risk" to homes at risk from the flames.

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

Fire crews used a helicopter to drop water on the fire on Tuesday, and Mr Parkes said the blaze had "presented some real challenges to the fire and rescue service in terms of access".

Firefighter Ricky Case, who has been out on the hills, said: "It's just the sheer vastness of it. It's one of the biggest ones I've been on in a long time. The logistics of it all, trying to get water to the locations where we need it."

The Moorland Association has praised the commitment and determination of gamekeepers in tackling the fire.

Gamekeepers from the Peak District Moorland Group as well as local farmers continue to combat the fire alongside fire crew.

A fire was initially extinguished in the area on Sunday night, before reigniting on Monday.

Keepers from the local estates, experienced and trained in tackling moorland fires, battled on into the darkness, using their all-terrain vehicles specially equipped with firefighting kit. The unit was continually topped up with water by fire crews on site.

Keeper Richard Bailey, who is part of the team tackling the blaze, said: “We were told by the fire service they believed the fire had been started by illegal off-road bikes forcing entry into private land - which is very distressing.

"The devastation is plain to see.

"Over 2,000 acres have been destroyed up to this point and there is no sign of a slowdown yet.

"Curlew, Grouse, Canada Geese, Meadow Pipit and Short Eared Owl all had nests burnt out, mountain hares and their young are being trapped by flames.

“The farmers who continue to help tackle the blaze are terrific and we all know we had to keep going to make sure the fire could be put out.”

Amanda Anderson, Director of the Moorland Association, said: “Keepers are acutely aware of the risk of wildfire at this time of year and are used to dealing with fires quickly, but the scale of this fire is unprecedented, and we believe it may be the biggest in living memory.

It reinforces the need for those enjoying the countryside to understand what they can do to prevent any possibility of fire – do not force entry into private land, take all rubbish home, especially broken glass, and do not throw cigarette butts into the vegetation. Camp fires, off-roading and barbeques are illegal on open moorland."</s>Firefighters have been called to a fire on Winter Hill, just over 30 miles from the large blaze on Saddleworth Moor.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that the new fire, along with those on the moor, meant they were "massively busy".

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it had also sent help to Winter Hill.

Meanwhile, firefighters are optimistic that they can beat the raging wildfires on Saddleworth Moor, hailing "significant improvement".

The words came just hours after 100 soldiers from A Company of the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, joined the firefighting effort.

They are working alongside more than 100 firefighters, many of whom have been battling the blaze since Sunday.

The crews, along with 10 fire engines, specialist vehicles, helicopters, mountain rescue and army trucks, are based at Swineshaw Reservoir, Stalybridge.

Around 40 homes were evacuated on Tuesday as the fire stretched over seven square miles, covering much of the Greater Manchester area in smoke and ash.

Tony Hunter, assistant chief fire officer of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We have made significant improvements but I would put an air of caution there though - we had a similar occasion yesterday where we thought we were on top of it and it flared up."

Although it is now "contained and under control", there was the possibility that the wind could blow the flames back on to the moors, acting as a "fuel source" for the fire, he added.

The army has been deployed initially for 48 hours and an RAF Chinook helicopter could be called in from Odiham, Hampshire, if needed.

Major Phil Morgan, who is commanding the soldiers, said: "We meet every challenge and commit 100% in what we do.

"Currently we have broken our boys down into various locations and we are beating the fire with paddles and we are supporting them by moving equipment, we are putting water on the fires and we are doing everything we can to stop this fire at the moment.

"We are truly really happy and excited to be here and the boys are cherishing every moment of it."

The fire could last for weeks before it burns itself out, fire chiefs have said, although a "significant downpour of rain" would help, Mr Hunter said.

The cause of the fire is unclear and could be difficult to determine due to its size.

Meanwhile, the UK looked set to enjoy a fourth consecutive day of record temperatures, with the mercury predicted to reach 32C.</s>Fire chiefs are in talks with the Army to explore whether they can assist in the battle to extinguish a vast moorland blaze which has raged for days. About 70 Greater Manchester firefighters are tackling four separate fronts of fire in an area believed to cover 6km across Saddleworth Moor after a number of homes had to be evacuated as a safety precaution on Tuesday night. The task facing crews is frequently shifting as changes in wind directions create fresh problem areas amid the ongoing heatwave.

A police helicopter was deployed to assess the scene across Tameside – where plumes of smoke can be seen from space via Nasa satellites – and discussions between fire bosses and their military counterparts followed. On Wednesday, Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), said: “We are trying to extinguish the fire. It’s just extremely difficult because of the changing wind direction and the terrain, and also the peat, the soil that it is in, tends to burn and the fire can be quite deep-seated. “We have got really good strategies in place for each of the separate incidents we are dealing with across the area with the aim to establish them as quickly as possible. “There is some work ongoing at the minute with our colleagues in the military to see if it is possible for them to assist us in any way and those discussions are currently taking place with my operation incident commander to see if that can be achieved in the short term.”

That assistance could include the utilising of extra personnel, four-wheel drive vehicles and possible air support, said Mr Keelan. Water firm United Utilities has provided a helicopter that can be used to drop water from height to areas of the fire that is difficult to access from foot while Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance hazardous area response team are also assisting. Air quality levels in the area are being monitored regularly in different locations and air quality is at a safe level, with people in affected areas urged to keep their windows and doors closed, said GMFRS. Experts warned that high levels of pollutants generated from the blaze, which started on Sunday, 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. Mr Keelan said: “We are working with our colleagues in health and we are sampling the air to make sure it is within those safe limits, and we will be informing people in local areas if there is any concern or we need them to do anything in particular.” Brenda Warrington, leader of Tameside Borough Council, said: “I think it’s fair to say the air is not toxic but it is tremendously irritiating. “We have no idea how long this situation will continue because it’s the weather conditions that will determine that and will dictate to us.

“One of the things we need, and I don’t usually ask for this in this kind of weather, is a really, really good downpour, sustained for quite some time”. Four local schools decided to close on Wednesday for the safety of their pupils. Among the affected areas is the village of Carrbrook, in Stalybridge, where 34 households in the Calico Crescent area were evacuated on Tuesday night when strong winds pushed flames near to their properties. Sue McDowell and her husband Peter had to grab a few possessions and their beloved West Highland terriers and pet cat after being told by police and the fire service to leave their home.</s>Exhausted firefighters will be helped by 100 soldiers as they battle a moorland blaze which fire chiefs said may last for weeks as the scorching weather continues. The troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, will join 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 the high ground. But Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Hunter, giving an update to reporters as troops readied for deployment, said what they needed most to end the blaze was rain – but none has been forecast. He said: “We have not seen an indication of any rain coming within the next couple of days stroke weeks, so we can see this being prolonged for days, if not weeks.

“It is dependent on a downpour of rain – and it would have to be a significant downpour of rain because it is so dry it would be absorbed very, very quickly. “If there is a change in wind to the opposite direction, it is a completely different picture then in terms of the fuel available to this fire.” Mr Hunter said the firefront has widened to two to two-and-a-half miles (3km-4km), in six different locations, and if the wind blows the flames back on to the moors it will act as a “fuel source” for the fire. Firefighters had been working until dusk on Wednesday night and, as it was too dangerous to go on the moors at night while it is on fire, an assessment at first light showed there was no “significant increase”.

RAF Wing Commander Tony Lane said: “We are here in support of the fire and rescue; there is a finite number of people, they were here yesterday, they have been here for a number of days, so it is actually providing a group of individuals that can provide support. “We will make sure the soldiers are working alongside the fire and rescue personnel so they are going to be pairing up together. “I think we are looking at one firefighter to three or four troops, so they can provide extra manpower to go and support them.”

Mr Hunter said the soldiers’ help would allow the service to keep other fire stations and engines available to deal with emergency calls as the moorland blaze continues He thanked local residents and businesses who had provided refreshments to officers and asked the public to “be aware” of the smoke and local conditions, keep access routes free for emergency services vehicles and stay away from where they are working.

If the fire worsens, GMFRS will be able to an on-call out an RAF Chinook helicopter, based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. It would be used to lift a high-volume pump, capable of pumping 7,000 litres of water a minute, to pump water up on to the moors.

Firefighters have used beaters, and a helicopter has been dropping water on to the fires, which first started on Sunday and led to around 40 homes being evacuated on Tuesday night in Carrbrook, near Stalybridge. Fire chiefs say it is the worst moorland fire in living memory to hit Saddleworth, a vast tract of barren land, high on the hills straddling Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and Derbyshire. The impact could even be seen from space as Nasa satellites picked up the plumes of smoke.</s>Exhausted firefighters will be helped by 100 soldiers as they battle a moorland blaze in England which fire chiefs said may last for weeks as the scorching weather continues.

The troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, will join 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 the high ground.

But Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Hunter, giving an update to reporters as troops readied for deployment, said what they needed most to end the blaze was rain – but none has been forecast.

He said: “We have not seen an indication of any rain coming within the next couple of days stroke weeks, so we can see this being prolonged for days, if not weeks.

“It is dependent on a downpour of rain – and it would have to be a significant downpour of rain because it is so dry it would be absorbed very, very quickly.

“If there is a change in wind to the opposite direction, it is a completely different picture then in terms of the fuel available to this fire.”

Mr Hunter said the firefront has widened to between two and two-and-a-half miles (3km-4km), in six different locations, and if the wind blows the flames back on to the moors it will act as a “fuel source” for the fire.

Firefighters had been working until dusk on Wednesday night and, as it was too dangerous to go on the moors at night while it is on fire, an assessment at first light showed there was no “significant increase”.

RAF Wing Commander Tony Lane said: “We are here in support of the fire and rescue; there is a finite number of people, they were here yesterday, they have been here for a number of days, so it is actually providing a group of individuals that can provide support.

“We will make sure the soldiers are working alongside the fire and rescue personnel so they are going to be pairing up together.

“I think we are looking at one firefighter to three or four troops, so they can provide extra manpower to go and support them.”

Firefighters prepare to tackle the wildfire on Saddleworth Moor (Danny Lawson/PA)

Mr Hunter said the soldiers’ help would allow the service to keep other fire stations and engines available to deal with emergency calls as the moorland blaze continues

He thanked local residents and businesses who had provided refreshments to officers and asked the public to “be aware” of the smoke and local conditions, keep access routes free for emergency services vehicles and stay away from where they are working.

An RAF Chinook helicopter is on stand-by to aid the firefighting effort (Owen Humphries/PA)

If the fire worsens, GMFRS will be able to an on-call out an RAF Chinook helicopter, based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

It would be used to lift a high-volume pump, capable of pumping 7,000 litres of water a minute, to pump water up on to the moors.

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

Firefighters have used beaters, and a helicopter has been dropping water on to the fires, which first started on Sunday and led to around 40 homes being evacuated on Tuesday night in Carrbrook, near Stalybridge.

Fire chiefs say it is the worst moorland fire in living memory to hit Saddleworth, a vast tract of barren land, high on the hills straddling Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

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

Smoke rises from the fire on Saddleworth Moor (Danny Lawson/PA)

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

A handful of local schools have been closed.

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

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

The cause of the original seat of the fire – thought to be at Buckton Hill, Carrbrook – has not been established but fire chiefs said a detailed investigation would be launched at the appropriate time.</s>Fire chiefs have warned Saddleworth Moor blaze could rage for weeks as temperatures continue to clime.

Today the Army and RAF will join firefighters on the fifth day to combat the epic inferno which has savaged the popular beauty spot nestled in the Pennies, Greater Manchester.

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.

And 100 soldiers have also been sent to help the exhausted firefighters, the Ministry of Defence has confrimed.

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.

An RAF Chinook helicopter has now been deployed to provide the military with the assistance requested, said Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

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.'

Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at GMFRS, said: 'The request is to assist us to move some high volume pumps by air to locations that we couldn't get them to with vehicles, and also the ability to transport personnel to those more remote areas so we can get there quicker with more people with the water supplies we hope to put in place to try and resolve the incident in a quicker nature.'

He said transporting two of the high volume pumps to remote locations would give his crews an 'excellent quantity of water with a nice main across a big area that we can tap into'.

A police helicopter was deployed to the scene across Tameside - where plumes of smoke can be seen from space via Nasa satellites - and discussions between fire bosses and their military counterparts followed.

It is believed by some locals that off-road motorcyclists riding the moorland on Sunday triggered the initial fire near to Buckton Hill, which lies above the area.

Fire chiefs insisted they had not established the cause but local farmer James Crowther was in no doubt about who is responsible - a theory echoed by many in the community.

He said on Facebook: 'Well done to the stupid idiots on motorbikes, who decided to break on to private land, use it as an off road course then set fire to it afterwards.

'No respect whatsoever and left others fighting a losing battle trying to get it out!'

Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'We are trying to extinguish the fire. It's just extremely difficult because of the changing wind direction and the terrain, and also the peat, the soil that it is in, tends to burn and the fire can be quite deep-seated.

'We have got really good strategies in place for each of the separate incidents we are dealing with across the area with the aim to establish them as quickly as possible.

'There is some work ongoing at the minute with our colleagues in the military to see if it is possible for them to assist us in any way and those discussions are currently taking place with my operation incident commander to see if that can be achieved in the short term.'

That assistance could include the utilising of extra personnel, four-wheel drive vehicles and possible air support, said Mr Keelan.

Water firm United Utilities has provided a helicopter that can be used to drop water from height to areas of the fire that is difficult to access from foot while Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance hazardous area response team are also assisting.

Air quality levels in the area are being monitored regularly in different locations and air quality is at a safe level, with people in affected areas urged to keep their windows and doors closed, said GMFRS.

Residents have described flames leaping 20 feet in the air as firefighters continue to tackle a vast blaze on Saddleworth Moor.

Chris Keytes and his wife Jane live in a farmhouse on the side of a still smouldering hill above houses evacuated in Carrbrook, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday night.

Mr Keytes said he got home from work at 6pm and once the fire was over the crest of the hill he called the fire service out.

Three fire engines climbed the lane to the farmhouse to get water on the flames, just metres from the back of his home.

He said: 'By that time the flames must have been leaping 20 feet high, but the problem is the wind direction is constantly changing. My problem was I have got dry brushwood here I haven't shifted, a broken-down tractor here with a tank of diesel, so that was my main problem and it was a bit hot at times.

'It's just smoke and heat, when you are just stood out here when the fire crews are here. They have got hoses but the heat was that intense when they spray the hoses on, it just evaporates to steam anyhow.

'So what they do is they damp the bracken down before the fire gets there with the hope of it petering out.

'Which it has done but it's just one of those things, it's hard terrain, especially in the dark, you can't see where you are going. There's potholes, fences, walls. It's hard work.'

Mr Keytes said he decided not to leave his home and dog when asked to evacuate the property on Tuesday night.

He added: 'We were asked to but I'd rather just stick it out, we had breathing gear here.

'I was in and out all night. Obviously I couldn't sleep and I said to the wife, 'I think the worst is over', then the lights went out. We were without power all night then.

'This morning I've come down, and there are still pockets of flames flaring up. I'm just rigging a pump up now to damp down on that.

'We've got natural breaks that go all the way round, but it's just one of those things, you live with it, you just have to be on the ball when it comes.

'It was just the vast area, right over from Dovestones, right from Saddleworth over to here. All the lot's gone up so it's just stretching the fire crews really.

'The wind's changed again and it has started to smog up again and it's going to constantly do that.'

Sue McDowell and her husband Peter had to grab a few possessions and their beloved West Highland terriers and pet cat, after being told by police and the fire service to evacuate their home in Calico Close, Carrbrook.

Mrs McDowell said: 'The flames were getting closer and closer and the smoke got thicker - you couldn't see anything, you could hear the sparks.

'Around 9pm fire engines and police all turned up. We just grabbed whatever we and could got out. It was scary.'

The couple took their dogs, Alfie, 12, and Daisy, two, along with their 16-year-old cat, Mog, and some pet food, and left their home as neighbours also fled the street.

They spent the night in their motor home on a friend's driveway before returning on Wednesday morning.

Mrs McDowell added: 'You couldn't see anything, you couldn't see flames, all you could see was the smoke.

'They said we could come back but to be prepared in case it starts off again.

'We will keep some things together in case we need to go again.'

Prime Minister Theresa May has told MPs that the Government is keeping the situation in Saddleworth 'under constant review'.

Mrs May, speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, paid tribute to emergency service personnel and offered her sympathy to all those affected by the blaze.

She said: 'The Home Office is monitoring the situation closely with the National Resilience Assurance team.

'So far no request for Government support has been made from Manchester Fire and Rescue but we are keeping this under constant review and operational policy arrangements are in place to provide support if required.'

Among the affected areas is the village of Carrbrook, in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, where 34 households in the Calico Crescent area were evacuated on Tuesday night as a precaution when strong winds pushed flames near their properties.

A major incident was declared and the Army remains on standby as Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service put in a plan of action to douse the fire which initially broke out on Sunday afternoon before it reignited the following day and has since worsened.

Leon Parkes, GMFRS assistant chief fire officer, said: 'Fire crews have been working in tremendously difficult conditions in the heat and smoke.

'We are doing an assessment on the scene this morning and then we will be putting a plan of attack together for the rest of the day.

'We've got over six kilometres of affected area - there is fire occurring in pockets around the outskirts. So we have got a belt of fire and obviously the wind direction at the time will have an affect on that.

'The seats of fire are not where we can access. We are having to park fire engines up and some of the fire scenes are two miles away so we are having to use other vehicles supplied by our partner agencies to transport firefighters and kit into those areas.

'The plan today is to try and really, really put some resource on the scene and put a heavy attack on this fire, and if that needs military assistance then that's what we'll consider.'

Mr Parkes added: 'This fire is particularly large. We've got lots of experience with dealing with moor fires but this particular incident is vast - it's presented some real challenges to the fire and rescue service in terms of our access, the conditions for firefighters that they have been working in and obviously the wind encourages the fire to spread.

'We have been dealing with an escalating incident and we are trying to get on top of it now.'

In Carrbrook, the morning sun struggled to break through with smoke still hanging thick in the air and ash floating to the ground.

Paula Tootell, who lives in Calico Crescent, said her neighbours were evacuated while she was told by police to keep her windows and doors shut and stay inside until they were told to move out as the flames raged nearby.

Ms Tootell said: 'The hills were on fire, it came closer and closer to the properties. Lots of fire engines arrived, we were told that they were putting pipes all around the estate for safety really.

'Houses across the road and further in, nearer to the fields, were evacuated and we were told to be on alert.

'We could see lots of flames on the hills and the whole of the hills was just red. It was bizarre, and so much smoke, you couldn't see in front of your face at some points.

She added: 'The whole of the hill was just on flame, like a bid red ring around the hills. You could see flames literally along the whole of the hill.'

It is thought that affected residents stayed with family and friends last night, although accommodation assistance was offered by Tameside Council.

On Facebook, Greater Manchester Police's Saddleworth division posted that an estimated 2,000 acres of moorland had been destroyed in the fire which had spread as far as Tintwistle in Derbyshire.

Some 65,000 gallons of water had been dropped by helicopter by Tuesday afternoon to fight the fire which was 'unprecedented in recent times and has been devastating to the moorland and the wildlife that live there', it added.

The exact cause of the blaze has not been established, said the fire service.

Greater Manchester Police said 34 homes have been evacuated so far as strong winds drive the flames closer to residential areas.

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

Images posted on social media showed bright orange flames lighting the night sky, while smoke from the fire can be seen for miles.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire, but people living nearby have been advised to keep windows and doors closed by Public Health England.

Tameside Council said that two schools - Mossley Hollins High and Buckton Vale Primary - will be closed due to the ongoing fire.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service group manager for Tameside, Phil Nelson, said: 'Crews are still tackling this difficult fire and are working hard to contain the blaze and prevent further fire spread.

'Firefighters are faced with very difficult circumstances, intense heat and are working on challenging terrain.

'Our main considerations are for crew welfare. It is physically draining working at this incident and it is vital that our firefighters have regular breaks and that relief crews are available to take over.'

Meanwhile the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham thanked fire crews.

He tweeted: 'Huge thanks to the GM firefighters working flat out to contain this worrying situation.'

Smoke can be seen from more than 20 miles away from the fires which have raged since Sunday evening.

Temperatures are expected to hit 91.4F today with the hot weather expected to last until the weekend.

According to Rachel West of the Met Office, the high temperatures expected to continue until the weekend.

She said: 'Wednesday and Thursday will be very hot and sunny, we're likely to see highs of 86.1F (31C) in parts of the country and there is a small chance we could see 89.6F (32C).

'On Friday temperatures tail off a bit in the north and east but it will still be very warm and the fine weather will continue on Saturday.'

Fire crews - including several specialist wildlife units - were first scrambled to the remote scene at around 8pm on Sunday evening.

Then on Tuesday, a helicopter was deployed to drop water on the fire to augment the firefighters on the ground.

Tameside Council and Public Health England have issued health warnings to those living nearby.

The fire started again on Monday morning, due to the warm weather and light winds. The fire has continued to burn overnight and firefighters remain at the scene.

The fire is in a remote area on the hills and it took crews some time to access it.

A spokesperson for Tameside Council said: 'Residents in areas affected by smoke should stay indoors, keep their doors and windows closed, and tune in to the local radio station for advice and information.

'Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.

'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.

'Smoke can irritate air passages, the skin and the eyes leading to coughing and wheezing, breathlessness and chest pain.

'It can also worsen existing problems such as asthma and people with asthma should carry their inhaler with them at all times.

'Anyone concerned about their symptoms should contact their GP or NHS Direct.'

Public Health England North West aid: 'Residents affected by the fire are advised that if smoke if visible outside to keep windows and doors closed.

'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 medicaion.'

Dramatic timelapse footage captured by an amateur photographer showed the extent of the blaze.

The video - made up of 990 photos, one image taken every 10 seconds for around four hours - was captured by amateur photographer Tristan Manchester on Monday night.

Mr Manchester, 22, had set up his camera with a telephoto lens to document the inferno as it tore through moorland on Saddleworth hills, Greater Manchester.

And from his vantage point in the loft of his Heyrod home, he was perfectly placed to record the blaze as it unfolded across the valley.

His footage shows the fire ominously creeping closer to the crest of a hill, while the bright lights of Carrbrook glimmer below.

'It was pretty scary because it was such a massive fire. It definitely looks like it's coming down the hill towards the houses,' said Mr Manchester, who started the recording before going to bed.

'I'm pretty proud of the video though. It was about two miles away but it looks much closer in the video.

'It's so hot at the moment so anything that catches doesn't stop burning.'

Lee Bourne, who is the incident commander, said on Tuesday: 'There is a concern about the amount of low lying smoke which is affecting local areas, namely Carrbrook, Greenfield and parts of Saddleworth, along with Stalybridge.

'Due to the weather conditions and there being a lack of wind, the smoke has settled so it is important for residents to keep doors and windows closed where there is any visible smoke.'

Station Manager Dave Swallow said on Monday: 'The fire currently involves two square kilometres of moorland between the Buckton Vale and Dovestones areas.

'The land is well alight and crews are using Forced Air Firefighting Units, which are like industrial leaf blowers, and beaters to extinguish the flames.

'It's a challenging incident for our crews due to the heat and the fact that the area involved in fire is around two miles from the nearest access point.'

Dozens of firefighters - who are facing intense heat and are working on challenging terrain - are continuing to contain the blaze and prevent it spreading further.

This section of countryside is often blighted by moorland fires.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said this is the 18th time in the last year crews have been called to the area to tackle blazes.</s>About 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter are joining the fight against a massive wildfire at Saddleworth Moor that could rage for several weeks.

The troops began arriving Thursday to help exhausted firefighters who have been trying to contain the large and stubborn inferno for five days over difficult terrain and in scorching weather.

It could take days or weeks for the fire in Greater Manchester to be fully extinguished, and there are fears that the blaze could spread further or a dramatic change in winds could push the flames towards homes.

Officials are now hoping for heavy rain amid a UK-wide heatwave that has turned dry land into a tinderbox.

The peat-fuelled blaze between Oldham and Tameside could last weeks if the scorching hot weather continues. There is no rain in the short-term forecast, which calls for wall-to-wall sunshine and daily highs of at least 25C.

More than 100 firefighters have been working rolling 12-hour shifts to tackle the seven square miles of Saddleworth Moor, smouldering with pockets of fire since Sunday.

No casualties have been reported. A sheep has been pictured with severe burns.

Tony Hunter, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service assistant chief fire officer, said what they needed most to put out the blaze was rain.

He said: "We have not seen an indication of any rain coming within the next couple of days stroke weeks, so we can see this being prolonged for days, if not weeks.

"It is dependent on a downpour of rain - and it would have to be a significant downpour of rain because it is so dry it would be absorbed very, very quickly.

"If there is a change in wind to the opposite direction, it is a completely different picture then in terms of the fuel available to this fire."

Mr Hunter said the firefront has widened to between two and two-and-a-half miles in six different locations, and if the wind blows the flames back on to the moors it will act as a "fuel source" for the fire.

He said: "It's extremely deceiving at the moment, it looks like it's smouldering away, which it is doing, but with a pick up of the wind we could see pockets being established - we need to keep on top of it.

"We have got square miles of unburnt fuel up there and if there's a change in wind direction or an increase in temperature we could see that go up."

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.

Mr Hunter told reporters at a press conference: "We can see this being prolonged for days if not weeks, particularly with the fact that the wind has drawn the fires towards the residential but actually away from the centre of the moor.

"We only need a change in wind direction to then see that fire increasing into where the greater fuel source is, so we could see a dramatic change."

Firefighters had been working until dusk on Wednesday night and, as it was too dangerous to go on the moors at night while it is on fire, an assessment at first light showed there was no "significant increase".

Mr Hunter said firefighters were "extremely pleased" to see the military, who will provide "effective support and additional resources".

An RAF helicopter is on standby to airlift heavy equipment.

He added: "The moorland is very difficult to access, our 4x4s can do a role but getting heavier equipment is essential for the helicopter."

The troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland have joined more than 100 firefighters who have been working rolling 12-hour shifts.

The Catterick-based soldiers will operate out of an Army training centre to control the fire by managing water lines and fire beating, among other means of support.

RAF Wing Commander Tony Lane said: "We are here in support of the fire and rescue; there is a finite number of people, they were here yesterday, they have been here for a number of days, so it is actually providing a group of individuals that can provide support.

"We will make sure the soldiers are working alongside the fire and rescue personnel so they are going to be pairing up together.

"I think we are looking at one firefighter to three or four troops, so they can provide extra manpower to go and support them."

Mr Hunter said the soldiers' help would allow the service to keep other fire stations and engines available to deal with emergency calls as the moorland blaze continues

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 impact of one of the worst moorland fires to hit the region 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.

Mr Hunter urged the public to stay updated about the fire: "We did see an increase later on in the day yesterday - so please keep an eye on the conditions. We will do as much as we can to get early warnings out if we see an increase.

"Check on local residents, try to leave access routes to moorland and lanes free for emergency services and check the news."

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.

Dry conditions across the UK have led to a number of wildfires during the hottest June in years.

On Wednesday evening, fire crews were called to a 200m blaze in woodland near Falla Hill Place in Fauldhouse, West Lothian.

Six crews remained at the scene to monitor the area on Thursday morning.

Hot weather is expected to continue for several more days with temperatures possibly hitting 32C on Thursday.</s>How Oath and our partners bring you better ad experiences To give you a better overall experience, we want to provide relevant ads that are more useful to you. For example, when you search for a film, we use your search information and location to show the most relevant cinemas near you. We also use this information to show you ads for similar films you may like in the future. Like Oath, our partners may also show you ads that they think match your interests. Learn more about how Oath collects and uses data and how our partners collect and use data.

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As the Saddleworth Moor wildfire continues to burn for a sixth day, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have requested for military assistance in fighting the fire to be extended for at least another three days.