Posted: Saturday 25 April 2020, 10:54
Firefighters have made another early morning return to a moorland fire at Rakes Moss, near to the A628 Crowden to Glossop for a third day of firefighting.
Firefighters were first called to Rakes Moss at 10.06 hours on the 23 April, with crews from Derbyshire and Greater Manchester attending the scene, supported by landowners United Utilities and local gamekeepers.
Throughout Thursday and Friday, crews used beaters, specialist Argo cat vehicles with high pressure pumps to penetrate deep into the fire, and helicopters to drop water onto the moorland.
Firefighters withdrew from the moors late last night, as is normal practice for their safety.
Speaking this morning, Group Manager Paul Hawker said: “Firefighters have once again returned to the moors early this morning, following two long, hot days of firefighting to extinguish the fire and prevent its spread.
“Crews from Derbyshire and Greater Manchester continue to work together, alongside gamekeepers and landowners United Utilities, using a combination of beaters, high pressure pumps from specialist Argo cat vehicles and two helicopters.
“Firefighting operations are expected to continue throughout the day.”
A further call received by the Service at 22.05 hours last night, saw Firefighters from Derbyshire, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire attend a grassland fire on an embankment off the A628 near Crowden.
An area of grass approximately 200 x 50 meters was well alight. Crews left the scene at 01:41 hours today.
Group Manager Hawker went onto say: “I’d like to remind people to adhere to current government Covid-19 advice, to stay at home except for essential journeys.
“I’d also appeal to people to consider how dry grass and vegetation is the moment. A discarded cigarette, glass bottle that the sun can magnify through, and hot coals from a portable barbeque can easily cause a fire. Please dispose of your cigarettes and rubbish responsibly and please do not go into the countryside to have a barbeque – stay at home and save lives.”
Currently there are two helicopters supporting the fire and firefighters from Derbyshire – Glossop, Belper, Bolsover, New Mills, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Bakewell and Buxton supported by colleagues from Greater Manchester.