THE worse moorland fires in living memory, wreaking havoc and terrifying locals and the nation. Here, campaigning journalist Ken Bennett, who urged "more boots on the ground" in letters to the authorities examines the legacy.

YOU can still see, taste and smell the horrific impact and devastation of the inferno that swept these treasured vistas.

The scars are funeral black: deep and searing. In some places on land above Saddleworth and Tameside only stark, bare rocks remain, polished by the wind and devoid of greenery.

The land was shrivelled by a heat so intense it burned the actual hairs off the arms and faces of the brave teams trying to prevent and spread of flames.

But above all, there is an uncanny almost eerie silence. No birds sing or fly here. There is no wildlife.

The Peak District National Park say the crippling fires put habitats, wildlife, livestock, people and property at risk. Over the last few weeks, its staff have supported emergency services at more than 30 moorland fires.

And locally, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are still monitoring the Tameside/Stalybridge fire site, which started on June 28.

It affected 1,000 hectares of peat moorland used for livestock grazing as well as providing habitat for plants and wildlife with additional benefits as atmospheric carbon stores and reducing water flow into lowland areas.

RSPBs summary shows:

* Wildlife: creatures have perished in the fire but a further impact is caused by the loss of food available to wildlife on the moors.

* Carbon: peat can store up to 20 years’ worth of carbon with peat releasing this carbon into the atmosphere.

* The area needs to be re-vegetated to lock carbon down and help towards climate change.

* Water storage rain water flowing down from moors into the reservoirs will be dirty from the bare peat its carried down with it, and in need of treatment - at the cost of bill payers - before it flows through taps.

The water will also run very quickly, posing a concern for flood-risk communities downstream.

Re-vegetated moorlands with plants and shrubs will slow the flow of water off the hills, and special mosses like sphagnum will hold between 10 and 20 times its weight in water and help to clean it.

Sarah Fowler, the Peak District National Park Authority chief executive, said: “It’s heart-breaking to see swathes of our internationally important landscapes damaged.

“Wildfires are catastrophic for wildlife, flora and peat itself which not only provides unique habitat, but vital carbon and water storage.”

And she warned: “The smallest spark can lead to huge amounts of damage.

“Ashes blown from a barbecue, a broken glass, a dropped cigarette butt can devastate our precious and protected landscapes, and affect people's livelihoods.

“The damage to the environment, wildlife, habitats and vegetation takes years to recover.”

The National Park are continuing their diligence working with partners, including moorland owners and managers, to assess the long-term risk of wildfires as part of their shared long-term vision for resilient, sustainable moorlands.

They warn the long spell of good weather and high temperatures means the lurking risk of fire continues and anyone sees smoke or fire on the moors should report it immediately to the Fire and Rescue Service on 999.