Update after two “significant” Peak District wildfires damage 800,000 square metres of moorlands in 24 hours

Fire crews were called to reports of a moorland wildfire off the Woodhead Pass near to Woodhead Reservoir shortly after 9pm yesterday (Wednesday, April 22).

This was the second significant fire on the moorlands within a 24-hour period, with Derbyshire fire crews called to assist South Yorkshire firefighters with wildfire off the Snake Pass near Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District shortly after 11am on Wednesday.

Firefighters withdrew from the wildfire site off Snake Pass yesterday evening while crews continued tackling the blaze near the Woodhead Pass until 2am.

Planned reinspections took place in the morning and one small smouldering fire remains and has been handed over to local gamekeepers for monitoring.

The wildfire near to Woodhead Reservoir has affected close to 600,000 sqm of moorland, while the blaze near Ladybower Reservoir saw 200,000 square metres of moorland affected.

Now Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has issued an appeal to members of the public to prevent further fires.

Station Manager and Joint Wildfire Lead for DFRS, Mark King said: “This is the second wildfire firefighters have attended within 24 hours, and I would urge people to take extra care while enjoying the countryside.

"With dry conditions continuing, even small actions can have serious consequences.

"On behalf of DFRS, I would like to thank all our firefighters, emergency service colleagues and partner organisations for their invaluable support and assistance during both recent wildfires.”

National Trust has thanked fire crews for their support and confirmed the trust was working with local partners to ensure the fires wouldn’t reignite.

A spokesperson for National Trust Peak District said: “Thank you to the fire and rescue service, rangers, and colleagues from Eastern Moors Partnership, Peak District National Park and Severn Trent Water who responded to a fire on moorland above the Derwent Reservoir yesterday.

"We were on site at first light this morning to check the area. With the help of drone technology, and our colleagues at Eastern Moors Partnership, we have identified two hot spots under the peat that our teams worked on to ensure the fire doesn’t ignite again.

“The team will also spend time today looking for any signs of where ignition might have started, mapping the area and fully assessing the damage.

“The fire damaged moorland plants, and it will have had an impact on birds, insects and reptiles.

“While the cause of this fire isn’t known, it shows of how quickly a fire can take hold and how damaging moorland fires can be.

“We can all play a part in preventing moorland fires by not using BBQs, lighting fires or using naked flames and taking litter home with you.

“We are working hard to increase fire resilience by rewetting the moors.

“It is vital that we respond quickly to fire. If you see fire anywhere, including in the outdoors, please call 999 and report it immediately.”

DFRS issued the following safety advice to help prevent wildfires:

• 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.

• Don’t start a campfire in the open countryside/moorlands.