'Please don't make our job any harder': a plea from firefighters

Fire services in the region say they are "extremely stretched" as they tackle two separate wild fires on the region's moors.

The blazes at both Saddleworth Moor near Oldham and Winter Hill near Bolton have reached their second week.

Both have been declared "major incidents".

• Click for updates on the Saddleworth Moor fire

• Click for updates on the Winter Hill fire

There are currently 16 Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue engines still at the site of the "unprecedented" fire in Tameside, while Lancashire Fire and Rescue have 29 engines at the Winter Hill site.

Both services are asking the public to help them do their job.

Here's how you can help:

How to prevent further fires

• don’t discard cigarettes or matches whilst walking or driving through the countryside

• don’t have BBQs in unauthorised areas and make sure it is cold before it is disposed of correctly

• never leave a BBQ unattended

• don’t start campfires in the countryside

• don’t discard rubbish – litter such as reflective cans and glass can start fire

• if you live close to woodland or heathland do not burn off garden rubbish during hot weather

• report any evidence of illegal fire setting

What to do if you discover a fire

• move to a safe place

• call the fire service on 999 immediately, provide as much detail as you can – size of fire, location and terrain

• don’t tackle the fire

• if you haven’t already, self evacuate the area as soon as possible – these fires can spread fast