Moorland Fire - Dove Stone Reservoir

UPDATE 08:00 JUNE 3

Heavy rain has assisted firefighters tackling a large moorland fire near Dove Stone Reservoir, Oldham. 

Throughout the night, heavy rain has helped to extinguish the fire, which firefighters were originally called to at around 2.20pm on June 2. 

A wildfire officer remains on the scene monitoring the situation, with a number of deep seated located. The rain is forecast to continue this morning and once it stops an assessment will be made on what fire services resources are needed at the scene. 

UPDATE 19:30

The scale of the fire is now approximately 600m by 600m.  A multi-agency meeting took place at 18:30 between Northwest Ambulance Service, Oldham Mountain Rescue Service, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Wildfire Officer, United Utilities and GMFRS.  The joint-operation to extinguish this fire is continuing at an aggressive pace and progress is being made by fire crews on the left flank of the fire and the helicopter on the right.

We have additional crews and resources en route to the scene to back up the operation into the night.

If you still find yourself in the local area please leave immediately. The roads here are very narrow and fire engines need the space to manoeuvre.

Head of Operational Assurance and Performance, Area Manager Ben Levy, who attended the scene earlier to support the response to this emergency described the scene:

"Crews have battled very harsh conditions in steep, uneven terrain to fight this fire. Additional hazards caused by wind threatening to spread the fire onto a vast expanse of tinder-dry moorland.  Specialist fire investigators are on the scene seeking to determine the cause.  In the meantime, I urge everybody to take extra-special care when enjoying our open spaces at this time of year, in conditions that can easily lead to large outbreaks of fire like this."

AM Levy added:

"I am incredibly proud of our crews and grateful to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as our colleagues from North West Fire Control who have effectively handled over 90 calls in relation to this incident"

UPDATE 18:00

Fire fighters are now supported by a helicopter from United Utilities which is supporting the effort to extinguish this large fire.

The fire remains around 600m by 200m and the wind is blowing in a North West direction.

There remains a large amount of smoke in the area, and now Greater Manchester Police have closed the entire Dove Stone Reservoir area and carpark to the public.  If you are in the area please leave. If you live in the area please keep your windows and doors shut.

UPDATE 17:15

Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large moorland fire in Oldham.

The fire involves around 600m by 200m of dry moorland. Ten fire engines, a wildfire unit and a Burn Team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are in attendance.

A Wildfire Unit from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has also been requested to attend.

UPDATE 16:00

Firefighters are currently at the scene of a moorland fire in Oldham. 

GMFRS was called at 2.20pm, to reports of a moorland fire near Holmfirth Road, Oldham, close to Dove Stone Reservoir. 

There are currently ten fire engines in attendance tackling the fire.

The fire is producing a large amount of smoke. Please can people avoid the area while firefighters tackle the fire and if you live near by keep your windows and doors closed. 

Article Published: 02/06/2020 16:11 PM