Fire crews remain in attendance today (June 26) at an ongoing blaze tearing through large areas of moorland close to Greater Manchester. Thick plumes of smoke have billowed over the villages of Tintwistle, Hollingworth and Woolley Bridge since the wildfire first erupted on Thursday night. Emergency fire crews from Derbyshire and Greater Manchester remain on the scene.
On Friday morning, the A628 Woodhead Pass remains closed off in both directions with other nearby road closures also in place. A large 'avoid the area' warning is also in place with nearby residents urged to keep windows and doors shut. Posts on social media indicated smoke could be smelt from as far as Middleton, Rochdale and Oldham as the woodland continues to smoulder. Dramatic drone footage shared by the fire service also showed large swathes of woodland rapidly burning, with an area around 400 metres squared affected.
Major road remains shut this morning
Fire crews are still working on the wildfire today. Inrix says: "A628 Woodhead Pass in both directions closed due to serious fire between A616 (Flouch Roundabout, Flouch) and A57 Mottram Moor (Gun Inn traffic lights, Hollingworth). Traffic is coping well."
People urged to still avoid area
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has issued another statement this evening. They remain on scene assisting Derbyshire fire crews with the moor blaze. "Our crews are working hard alongside colleagues from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue to tackle the blaze on the moorland near Glossop this evening. Please avoid the area due to the continuing smoke."
Warning over fires and smoking
Following today's blaze, the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued two warnings over makeshift fires and cigarettes, especially on moorland. "Dry conditions mean that even a small fire can quickly spread beyond its intended area, putting nearby gardens, property, wildlife and open spaces at risk," one warning read. "If you're clearing garden waste, please consider alternatives such as composting, taking it to the tip, or using your local garden waste collection service." As a second alert read: "The current heatwave has significantly increased the risk of grass, woodland and moorland fires. Dry vegetation can ignite easily, and something as small as a discarded cigarette can have devastating consequences for people, wildlife and the environment. If you smoke, please remember to fully extinguish cigarettes before disposing of them, use a suitable bin or ashtray - made of metal, glass or ceramic, never throw cigarette ends from a vehicle window and take extra care around dry grass, vegetation and open countryside. A moment's carelessness could start a fire that spreads quickly. Please help us keep each other safe."
'Ash' landing in gardens and on cars due to ongoing moorland blaze
Particles of 'ash' have been reportedly been landing in people's gardens, on streets and on cars due to the ongoing moorland blaze this evening. Residents as far as Bolton, Crumpsall, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale have complained of a strong smell of smoke masking the area. Smoke appears to be blowing westwards from the huge moor fire, now spanning 500 square metres, causing hazy streets across the region. Now, people have claimed particles of ash have been seen falling due to the moor fire. "We’re getting ash landing on us in back garden, Oldham Hollinwood," one person commented. "Ash has dropped a little bit in Ashton," a Tameside resident posted. "Ash now and smell of smoke here," a post read posted from the Rivington area of Bolton. "I think there’s little bits of ash falling from the sky from the fire", someone else said in Chadderton.
Helicopters drafted in to drop water as moor fire spreads and public told 'act responsibly'
The Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued an updated statement. Crews are expected to remain at the scene overnight. The area scorched is now estimated to be 500 square metres and is made up of moorland and woodland. Helicopters from United Utilities have been drafted in to drop water from height over the fire. A new statement read: "Firefighters from Derbyshire and Greater Manchester are continuing to tackle the fire and are expected to remain on scene into the night. Six fire engines are in attendance supported by a high volume pump, command support unit, water carrier, moorland vehicles and a helicopter from United Utilities which is being used to drop water onto the fire. Once again a huge thank you for the continued support being provided by our colleagues and partners, including those from the Peak District Fire Operations Group (FOG), at this incident. Another thanks to Derby Mountain Rescue who are providing aerial footage which is being streamed directly to our command support vehicle. This provides real-time situational awareness to help inform operational decision-making and the deployment of resources. The fire is affecting approximately 500 square metres of moorland and woodland. Wildfires like this require a huge response and people are asked to keep this in mind as the warm weather continues. The ground is tinder dry and the slightest spark from a campfire, a tiny burning ember from a BBQ, or a flake of ash from a discarded cigarette could soon escalate to a major incident so please act responsibly."
Mountain rescue teams also in attendance
A statement from the Derby Mountain Rescue Team read: "Our drone section is currently deployed in support of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service at a large wildfire near Glossop. Live aerial footage from the drone is being streamed directly to the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service command vehicle, providing real-time situational awareness to help inform operational decision-making and the deployment of resources. We’d ask members of the public to avoid the area where possible and to follow any advice issued by the emergency services while crews continue to work at the scene."
Smoke 'being blown west' as smell noticed across Greater Manchester
Video footage appears to show smoke from the wildfire being blown in a westerly direction this evening. It would explain why residents across many Greater Manchester boroughs, including Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and even Bolton have complained of a strong smell of smoke this afternoon.
New pictures as moorland fire rages on after 21 hours
It has now been 21 hours since the moorland fire first broke out in Tintwistle. Due to the heat and dry ground, fire crews are continuing to try and bring the blaze under control. Smoke is still billowing and masking the local area.
"Thought it was someone's BBQ!": Wildfire smelt as far as Bury and Bolton
The wildfire can be smelt as far as Bury and Bolton this evening with confused posts being shared on social media. One, posted in a Whitefield and Prestwich community page, read: "It smells of smoke, what's on fire?" A number of comments suggested it was local burning or someone enjoying a BBQ - when in fact the smoulder from the ongoing wildfire is spreading across the region. "I assumed just my neighbours burning trash as always," one person said. Another commented: "I can smell it and see it I presumed everyone was having bbqs." "Can smell it and I'm in Bolton," another added. "I can smell it in unsworth? Thought it was someone’s Bbq!" posted a fourth.
Phenomenal image shows moorland fire from thousands of feet in the air
An unbelieveable image taken earlier today from a Jet2 flight to Leeds shows the fire from an almost aerial view. The picture, snapped on board the plane travelling from Majorca, shows the extent of the wildfire with smoke seen billowing over the moorland.
Map shows location of moorland blaze as huge road closure in place
The fire is raging on at Tintwistle Moor, just above Woodhead Road this evening. The map below shows the size of the road closure in place, spanning miles along the Woodhead Pass route.
Woodhead Pass remains closed with motorists told to expect delays
The Woodhead Pass (A628) is closed in both directions this evening while emergency services continue to try and bring the wildfire under control. National Highways has said the busy route between Greater Manchester and the Peak District has been shut off between the A57 for Hollingworth and the A616 for Flouch. Motorists have been told to expect delays this evening and find alternative routes. "Traffic travelling from further afield may wish to use alternative trans-pennine routes such as M1, M62 and M60," an update read.
Crews drafted in from Greater Manchester
Fire crews have been drafted in from Greater Manchester to assist with the ongoing moorland blaze this evening. The Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has said the fire is affecting around 400 metres-squared of moorland and woodland. Six fire engines, a water carrier and welfare unit are on the scene. Crews from Greater Manchester are helping to tackle the blaze. Residents have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed this afternoon and to avoid the area.
Latest statement from fire service
A spokesperson for the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said this afternoon: "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. 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."
