Easterly winds are carrying the smoke plumes across our region amid the Dovestone and Tintwistle wildfires
The scene of the huge moorland fire at Tintwistle(Image: Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Fire chiefs have warned that more smoke will billow over Greater Manchester over the next 24 hours amid two huge wildfires near the region.
Two major wildfires, one at Dovestone and Swineshaw and one at Tintwistle, are continuing to rage on this weekend. It is more than a week since the moorland fire began at Dovestone, while crews have been battling the Tintwistle fire for more than three weeks.
The fires have sent huge plumes of smoke over Greater Manchester and beyond. The Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) last night (Saturday) said a controlled burn would be carried out at Tintwistle.
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This is set to cause an increase in smoke over the next 24 hours, the fire service said. Easterly winds are carrying the smoke plumes across our region.
The controlled burn allows crews to ‘remove fuel that would otherwise allow the fires spread further’. People affected by smoke have been urged to keep their windows and doors shut.
“Winds are continuing to carry the smoke plume towards Manchester”
In full, the DFRS said: “Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is carrying out a controlled burn this evening as part of its response to the Tintwistle Moor wildfire. This is a planned tactical measure along the Pennine Way in the Crowden area to help contain the wildfire in Derbyshire, while also supporting Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service’s response to the separate wildfire across the border.
“By carefully burning vegetation in a controlled way, firefighters can remove fuel that would otherwise allow the fires to spread further. We are aware that the controlled burn will result in increased smoke over the next 24 hours.
“Current easterly winds are continuing to carry the smoke plume towards Manchester. We appreciate that this may be noticeable to residents, but please do not call our Control team to report the smoke, as they are already aware of the situation and specialist crews are carrying out this planned operation.
“Please avoid the Tintwistle area and, if you are affected by smoke, keep your windows and doors closed. We appreciate the impact this may have on local communities and thank them for their patience and understanding.”
The DFRS said crews are expected to remain at the scene in Tintwistle into next week. Crews are working on four key areas at Didsbury Intake, Featherbed Moss, Arnfield Moor and Crowden.
The A628 Woodhead Pass will remain shut in both directions so crews and vehicles can get to and from the scene safely. A car crash on the road last Thursday also sparked a fire on nearby moorland after the vehicle burst into flames.
At Dovestone and Swineshaw, a huge operation involving a number of specialist teams is continuing to try and tackle the fire and stop it from spreading. A helicopter was being used over the weekend to drop water onto both fires.
On Saturday, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) issued an urgent plea after people were spotted lighting barbecues on moorland amid the major blaze. “Our firefighters continue to tackle two major moorland fires at Swineshaw and Dovestones”, a spokesperson for the service said.
“This weekend, we have already seen people visiting the area and lighting BBQs. People must stay away from affected moorland areas and must not light BBQs, campfires or any other open flames.
“These incidents place significant pressure on emergency services. Every preventable fire risks diverting firefighters, vehicles and equipment away from the ongoing response and could put lives and the environment at greater risk.”
Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation after the Dovestone fire took hold. Police arrested a 19-year-old woman and man, aged in his 20s, on suspicion of arson earlier this week, with the pair both now released on bail.
Shania Care-Slede, of Market Street, Hyde, aged 20, has already been charged with arson in connection with the fire. She appeared in court on Tuesday.
