Moorland fires endangered local wildlife and livestock
Fire near Dovestones – photo Rebecca Lyons
Reporters: Stuart Littleford and Ken Bennett
These dramatic pictures highlight the fury and frustration of farmers and conservationists battling to protect a major beauty spot.
James Crowther, whose the family have farmed 5,000 acres of rugged moorland for generations, tackled the blaze with student Luke Harrison assisted by an elderly neighbour.
It was the second fire, believed to have been started by children, which caused chaos on hillsides above Greenfield on Saturday.
The first blaze at a site near Dovestones reservoir, on the A635 Greenfield-Holmfirth Road, was doused by fire crews and the farmers.
But a few hours later, a second, more fierce blaze swept land near Indian’s Head, with crews from GMFRS returning to the scene.
“The blaze was so intense my boots melted,” said James. “I can’t believe we are facing these hazards so early into our first real weekend of sunshine.
“It seems anywhere there is a country lane or a lay-by on a road there is trouble.”
Mr Crowther, the eldest of three, revealed problems first flared last Friday night when he extinguished two blazing takeaway pizza boxes on the side of a moorland road.
“Luckily, no one has hurt but I’m convinced all the fires were started by people who have absolutely no respect for farmers, livestock, wildlife or anyone else.”
Dave O’Hara, the RSPB’s site manager at Dovestone, said: “Starting fires is a criminal offence with stiff penalties.
“These senseless blazes wreck people’s lives, could severely damage livestock and precious wildlife and destroy the environment which brings so much joy to thousands of visitors.
“Visitors on the moors should treat them with great respect and remember even a casual lit cigarette can cause major problems.”
Blaze above Denshaw – photo Stuart Littleford
The fire brigade said they had received reports of children setting the fires then vanishing from the scene.
Crew Commander Steve Moran, from Oldham Fire Station, said: “Our crews were called out to Saddleworth at 6.30pm on Saturday and were beating down the fire until dark and then the fire had died down.
“We returned at first light on Sunday morning,” he explained. “It looked like a ring of fire was burning but it was actually the fire burning out from the middle to the edges.
“We always make a decision on whether to stand a crew down based on each individual fire, and common sense has to prevail.
“If its dangerous terrain and there is no immediate risk to life, then we might stand a crew down but leave a fire engine in situ to mentor the situation throughout the night.
“We always turn out to moorland fires in Saddleworth because we can get there as quickly as crews stationed in Mossley.”
On Sunday, three crews extinguished fires which sent clouds of smoke billowing over the M62 at Junction 22 above Denshaw and moorland above Newhey, and near the Ogden Reservoir.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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