Huge flames could be seen near Greater Manchester last night as crews battled yet another moorland fire. Dramatic images show the blaze soaring above parts of Rossendale, near Rochdale and Bury.
Firefighters descended on moorland off Rochdale Road, in Bacup, at around 9.30pm on Sunday night (March 28). After tackling the fire last night, crews are spending a second day at the scene this morning to make sure it has not reignited. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Three fire engines from Bacup and Rawtenstall and two hagglund vehicles were called to a wildfire on the moors off Rochdale Road, Bacup at 9.27pm. Firefighters used beaters and blowers to extinguish two seats of fire which was approximately 500 metres by 100 metres.
"Firefighters have returned to the scene this morning to ensure the fire has not reignited overnight. The cause of the fire is under investigation."
It is the latest fire to hit moorland near Greater Manchester in recent weeks following the recent dry weather. A huge fire hit Dovestone Reservoir earlier this month, destroying an area of new woodland which was planted by local volunteers.
Two fires broke out at Marsden Moor in the past fortnight, close to the West Yorkshire border near Saddleworth, while crews returned to the High Peak for the second weekend in a row as a fire broke out in Tintwistle on Saturday. Nationally, around 50 moorland fires have taken place in March, and firefighters have issued a warning with more warm weather predicted for April.
Following the High Peak fire at the weekend, wild fire lead for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, station manager Mark King said: "With the arrival of the warmer weather that is predicted to continue through April, we are already seeing an increase in significant wild fires so we must act to protect our countryside and moorland across the Peak District.
"Fire can spread rapidly over dry grasses and through deep seated peat bogs, meaning firefighters are tied up for prolonged periods of time with the potential to cause a knock-on delay in responding to other life risk incidents across the county."
