Astonishing images of man versus nature as firefighters battle ‘aggressive’ moorland blazes

Firefighters have been tackling a fire on Winter Hill (Danny Lawson/PA) Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

From sundown to sunrise they attempted to battle the ferocious wave of flames cutting a new path across the Lancashire moors.

The twin blazes that joined together on Saturday has seen another major incident declared, days after crews required army support to tackle a fire on Saddleworth Moor.

These are the extraordinary images of the fire crews battling a "rapidly developing, aggressive fire" ravaging Winter Hill and Scout Road.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, which has 25 appliances at Winter Hill, says that helicopters are being brought in to try and get water on to areas of smouldering hot spots.

It is part of firefighting efforts which have been bolstered since 4.30am "in order to mount a large scale attack on the fire fronts", according to a spokesman.

He said: "Offensive firefighting is focusing on getting water onto nearby woodland to ensure any flame flare ups don't spread to that area and we have been working with partners to secure the road and infrastructure up on the top of the hill at the mast sites.

The fierce burning has made for some extraordinary images. Credit: PA

"Significant firefighting activity is predominantly focused on the Scout Road side of the incident ground. We are looking into getting helicopter support later in the day to assist with getting water onto the incident ground in this area."

The merged large-scale moorland fires near Bolton spread quickly due to increasing wind causing a major incident to be declared.

The first moorland fire - on Saddleworth Moor - started last Sunday amid Britain's heatwave and has devastated surrounding land around Carrbrook.

Fire crews have been battling hard to tackle the flames but smoke has been a huge obstacle. Credit: ITV News

Greater Manchester Police urged pedestrians and motorists to stay away from the scene.

They have also warned people not to fly drones over Winter Hill as they are "putting firefighters and pilots' lives at risk" particularly with helicopters in the skies.

The crews worked into the dead of night. Credit: PA

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said 10 crews remained on the scene overnight, after seven days tackling the blaze, and the number was increased to 22 from 4.30am on Sunday.

Sunrise showed the smoke draped across the moorland. Credit: PA

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said on Saturday it had 28 fire engines tackling the moorland fires.

There were approximately 120 personnel on the moors, split between seven areas of wildfire in Tameside and Winter Hill, Bolton.

The crews tackled the flames with little protection beyond mouth guards. Credit: PA

The first moorland fire – on Saddleworth Moor – started on Sunday amid Britain’s heatwave and has devastated surrounding land around Carrbrook.

Assistant chief fire officer Dave Keelan said: “This is an exceptionally challenging time and I am proud of the hard work and brave commitment of our firefighters.”

The fires near Bolton merged on Saturday, aided by increasing wind. Credit: PA

Lancashire fire service area manager Tony Cook said “very intensive firefighting” is taking place on Winter Hill, including personnel doing shuttle runs in appliances to get water to the scene while others manually try to beat the fire out.

Fire break trenches are also being dug to try to protect local buildings.

Fire brigades from across the country - including from Tyne and Wear, the South West, Nottinghamshire, Humberside and Warwickshire - are on the scene to try and bring the situation under control but they are working in hot conditions with "no significant rain forecast this week", according to Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts.

She said: "The trend is for dry and very warm weather, which is far from ideal. Thunderstorms in the South West are unlikely to reach that far north.