Firefighters to work through the night on Saddleworth Moor blaze

Firefighters will work through the night to tackle a vast moorland blaze that has raged for days, as they await a response to their call for military help.
A helicopter helps fire crews on Saddleworth Moor this eveningA helicopter helps fire crews on Saddleworth Moor this evening
A helicopter helps fire crews on Saddleworth Moor this evening

About 55 firefighters and specialist officers were continuing to tackle multiple pockets of fire spanning up to 6km across Tameside, on the edge of Saddleworth Moor, on Wednesday night.

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Military called in to help tackle Saddleworth Moor fire

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) group manager Dean Nankivell said "great progress" had been made throughout the day.

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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.

An RAF Chinook helicopter is likely to be deployed to provide the military with the assistance requested, GMFRS said.

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.

"We are still in detailed discussions with the military over the logistical element of it. They will obviously move as quick as they can to get resources here."

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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".

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

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.

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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 started on Sunday and was brought under control but it reignited the next day and has continued in one of the worst moorland fires to hit the region.

The impact of the blaze 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, but residents were allowed to return after air quality assessments.

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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.

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Four local schools decided to close on Wednesday for the safety of their pupils.

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.