Derbyshire Firefighters Tackle Wildfire Near Errwood Reservoir

Derbyshire firefighters have now left the scene of the moorland fire near Errwood Reservoir in Goyt Valley after a week of tough firefighting. Fire crews left at 08:18 hours on Tuesday 6 May and handed over to the landowners United Utilities who are managing a few remaining hot spots. Crews were initially mobilised to the incident following a 999 call to our control room at 11:42 hours on Wednesday 30 April.

Over 100 personnel, including firefighters and partner agencies, responded with 10 fire engines and numerous specialist vehicles to bring the fire to the quickest and most effective conclusion. The number of responders changed daily based on the developing situation. Derbyshire fire crews included firefighters from Chapel-en-le-Frith, Buxton, Glossop, Whaley Bridge, Crich, Matlock, Staveley, Ashbourne, Hathersage, Long Eaton, Belper, New Mills, Bakewell, Dronfield, Bolsover, Clowne, Bradwell, Clay Cross, Shirebrook, Wirksworth, and Nottingham Road fire stations. Crews from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s; Congleton, Poynton, and Macclesfield stations, and Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Longnor station also attended the fire.

Partnership Working to Resolve the Incident

Tackling a wildfire can be extremely challenging. Emergency services and partner organisations work under extreme conditions to limit damage to the surrounding area. They often work in extreme heat while getting equipment, water, and resources to the scene. Ensuring all partners work effectively together to resolve the incident is crucial.

As part of a multi-agency response, firefighters used a combination of water backpacks, beaters, fogging units, and Argocat vehicles with high-pressure hoses to work on deep-seated hotspots of fire in the tree plantation and surrounding moorland.

Additional firefighting and rescue resources were supplied by members of the Fire Operations Group (FOG), including a specialised water-carrying helicopter courtesy of United Utilities, which was used to damp down smouldering areas of the moorland.

People were asked to avoid the area due to the large presence of emergency service vehicles, and residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed if affected by the smoke. Derby Mountain Rescue Team supplied a drone for fire reconnaissance, which also helped provide images and footage to help keep the public warned and informed.

There was a huge number of partners from the FOG who supported the successful response to the fire all playing a critical role. These included Peak District National Park Rangers, Peak Park Rangers, the Peak District Moorland Group, local gamekeepers, local farmers and United Utilities. Vital and very welcome support was also provided by volunteers from Greater Manchester Salvation Army and a number of local businesses and residents – they all helped to keep firefighters and everyone on the scene fed and refreshed during the operational response.

Firefighting continued throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, with crews continuing to damp down hotspots and dealing with areas of the moorland that had reignited due to a change in wind conditions.

Final fire crews left the moorland at 08:18 hours on Tuesday 6 May and handed the scene over to the landowner and gamekeepers.

Station Manager and Joint Wildfire Lead for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS), Mark King said:

“Over the past 7 days, a considerable number of firefighters and partner agencies from Derbyshire and neighbouring counties came together to bring the fire at Errwood Reservoir to the quickest and safest conclusion.

“On behalf of DFRS I would like to thank all the firefighters, emergency service employees and our partners for their invaluable support and assistance. They worked hard not only to tackle the moorland fire in challenging conditions but also to limit the impact on the land and wildlife.

“We would also like to thank the local community for their patience and cooperation and remind people about the risks of wildfires like this one and to look out for our precious moorland and outdoor spaces.”

 

Help Us Prevent Wildfires

This is the 15th wildfire that Derbyshire firefighters have attended this year, tying our resources up from responding to other potentially life risk emergencies. There is also the financial cost to the fire service and all partners responding to the fire, in addition to the environmental impact on our wildlife and countryside.

People can help us reduce the risk of wildfires by following our top tips:

• Don’t throw/discard cigarettes out of car windows. Ensure they are extinguished and disposed of properly. 
• Don’t leave glass bottles lying around – the sun can magnify through the glass causing a fire.  
• Don’t take portable BBQs or gas stoves into the countryside/moorlands. Portable BBQs are banned in many areas of the Peak District – pack a picnic instead.  
• Take rubbish home or dispose of it responsibly. 

You can find out more about preventing wildfires at Moorland Safety :: Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service