Major incident declared over large moorland wildfire

A major incident has been declared as firefighters continue to tackle a large-scale moorland wildfire that first began nearly three weeks ago.

The blaze on Tintwistle Moor in Glossop, Derbyshire, started on 24 June and has affected about 260 hectares (642 acres) of moorland and woodland.

Declaring the major incident on Sunday, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were facing "challenging conditions".

Crews returned to the scene at 01:15 BST on Monday following reports the fire had escalated due to high winds.

On Monday, the service said it had five fire engines as well as specialist equipment tackling the blaze - and warned operations were expected to continue for "some time".

The wildfire prompted a large-scale response when it started in June, as temperatures reached 34C (93F) amid a UK-wide heatwave.

Firefighters left the scene on 2 July while water firm United Utilities and the wider Peak District Fire Operations Group continued damping down the area.

However, crews were called back on Thursday amid another heatwave affecting most of England - the third this year.

It comes as firefighters are tackling a blaze on moors above Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield, Saddleworth, which has sent plumes of smoke across Greater Manchester.

Meanwhile, in north Wales, 36 homes have been evacuated after a wildfire broke out near Conwy Mountain and the Sychnant Pass in Conwy county on Sunday.

The Met Office has said it will be windy in some places on Monday, adding parts of the country might be hit with a little rain.

But the forecaster said the scorching conditions experienced by much of the UK were due to last into the week.

Ellie Gillatt, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager, said: "Firefighters continue to face challenging conditions as they work to tackle the wildfire and protect the surrounding infrastructure and environment.

"This remains a significant and complex incident, requiring a protracted, multi-agency response."

She urged members of the public to avoid the affected area and to follow any road and footpath closures.

The fire service said due to the extensive nature of the area covered, no cause had yet been established.

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