Cumbria’s firefighters help tackle moorland blaze

Firefighters tackle a wildfire on Winter Hill near Bolton. Credit: PA

Firefighters from Cumbria have been helping to tackle a huge moorland blaze in Lancashire.

In the early hours of this morning, fire crews from Ulverston, Arnside and Staveley, and the Grange Wildfire Unit were deployed to the fire on Winter Hill, near Rivington.

The fire started shortly before 3.30pm on Thursday.

A total of 18 firefighters from Cumbria were later called to the operation to support Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service due to the severity of the blaze.

The crews worked to make sure the fire did not spread to nearby forestry and communication masts.

Station manager Sean Hevey, who led the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) crews, said:

The moorland fire is now believed to be under control.

Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer Steve Healey said:

A spokesperson from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said there was no immediate risk to livestock, domestic properties or infrastructure.

The blaze comes after seven square miles of Saddleworth Moor has gone up in flames, blanketing the Greater Manchester region and beyond in smoke and ash.

The fire service has warned that the series of “apocalyptic” wildfires on the Pennine moors could take weeks to put out.