Firefighters anticipate it could take several days to extinguish a significant moorland fire in Greater Manchester that ignited on Saturday. The blaze, initially at Dove Stone Reservoir in Greenfield, Saddleworth, has now combined with a separate fire several miles away at Tintwistle Moor near Glossop.
Clive Stanbrook of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) stated that the fire's spread is being driven by dry conditions and unpredictable winds. Crews are employing multiple tactics to contain the fire, including water drops from helicopters and aerial reconnaissance using drones and aircraft.
The fire at Tintwistle Moor began on June 24 and was escalated to a major incident on Sunday. DFRS described the conditions as challenging.
"We've had a couple of helicopters dropping water as well, but also doing reconnaissance," Stanbrook said. "Mountain Rescue have been absolutely fantastic and provided their drone. We've also had a coastguard plane as well to do reconnaissance of the actual area. That's just a taste of the scale that we're dealing with at the moment."
Ben Levy, an area manager with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), indicated that the operation is likely to be prolonged. "I envisage our firefighters are going to be on these moors for a number of days, I am sure of it - there is no significant rainfall forecast, the temperatures are due to remain high," Levy stated.
As of Tuesday, approximately 70 firefighters, 11 fire engines, and four wildfire units were engaged in combating the blaze. A 20-year-old woman has appeared in court charged with arson in connection with the incident.