Moorland fires spark call for ‘mini summit’

In the latest incident last night (Thursday, April 19) 80 firefighters – three of whom sustained injuries - battled for four hours to control a blaze covering 1.5 square miles near Dovestone Reservoir.

The crews were from 11 fire engines, and helicopters from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, and United Utilities were also used in the four-hour operation.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service issued a warning to residents and visitors to avoid the area.

It was the third moorland blaze within a day with firefighters called to two incidents in the area on Wednesday (April 18).

Meanwhile, the multiple outbreak of fires has brought a reaction from local people concerned that on the only two days of warm weather since last October, the moorland has been ablaze several times.

Kenn Bennett, who lives in the Saddleworth village of Dobcross, said: “We are totally fed up with this. We feel we need to have a proper sit down with the agencies concerned and try to sort this problem out.

“We’ve only had two days’ decent weather and there are fire breaking out all over the place.

Some of them may be started maliciously, but it is also believed people having barbecues is another cause.

“United Utilities and the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) have invested millions in reseeding the moors and encouraging people to come here. But they have to take some physical responsibility for what’s happening.

“We’ve head 80 firefighters battling a fire, and how much does that cost and what is there to other places left with no fire cover while this is going on. Wouldn’t it be cheaper and more effective to employ a warden and get messages out to schools and the local community about fire prevention.”

And he went on: “The problem is that you really need it to be dry for the moorland to burn. There are billions of tons of carbon under Saddleworth Moor and if that starts going up, it’s goodnight Vienna.”

Mr Bennett has written the following letter to United Utilities, the RSPB, Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham, Oldham Council’s media team, and Cllr Adrian Alexander at the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership: “I write to you as a journalist of 63 years who has spent more than 20 years covering Saddleworth for local, regional and national news media.

“I would respectfully suggest the current situation regarding fires at Dovestone Reservoir over the last two days needs an immediate review and audit involving all your teams and including the local community.

“Gauged on conversations I’ve had throughout today and growing worries on social media, the paramount concern is that despite all your collective and individual efforts dealing and managing the actual fires themselves we are not addressing the real issues facing Dovestone “That is: on the ground management and prevention of the fires in the first place. Notices, warnings, appeals, grandiose plans for moorland protection and preservation are simply not working.

“In part, if you will excuse the pun, they are all going up in a puff of smoke. Positive, meaningful and sustainable on the ground action is needed now.

“Among suggestions there is a compelling demand for the introduction of on the spot fines for anyone seen lighting a barbecue or starting any kind of fire.

“I am willing to act as a moderator and arrange a mini summit early next week in Saddleworth to action a plan to help protect our moors, livestock and our people and the use of our already overstretched resources.

“I welcome an early response.”