Firefighting teams said they have made significant progress tackling a large moorland fire that began on Tintwistle Moor, near Glossop, on 24 June. Analysis by the European Forest Fire Information System (Effis), reported by BBC Verify, estimates the blaze has burned around 606 hectares (1,630 acres).
Operational response and current priorities
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service described the incident as testing to respond to, with crews and partner agencies continuing work to bring it to a safe conclusion. Incident commanders organised the affected ground into four sectors so teams could concentrate resources and working methods tailored to local conditions.
"a complex and challenging incident"
The service reported that there were about 65 firefighters involved from Derbyshire and other parts of the UK, supported by partner organisations. National Highways has advised that the A628 is expected to remain closed in both directions between the A57 at Hollingworth and the A616 at Flouch until at least Monday, affecting cross-Pennine traffic.
Where crews are working and what they are doing
Fire control divided the scene into four named sectors and described differing activity in each area. Tactics include monitoring for re-ignition, wet line damping-down to soak hotspots, and active firefighting in difficult terrain.
- Didsbury Sector: no active firefighting; crews monitoring conditions.
- Crowden Sector: originally the main seat of the blaze; teams conducting wet line damping down.
- Arnfield Sector: active firefighting in challenging terrain to extinguish remaining fire.
- Featherbed Moss Sector: active damping down of affected areas.
| Sector | Reported activity |
|---|---|
| Didsbury | Monitoring; no active firefighting |
| Crowden | Wet line damping down; initial main seat |
| Arnfield | Active firefighting in difficult terrain |
| Featherbed Moss | Damping down of hotspots |
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service emphasised continued collaboration with partner agencies as they seek to resolve the major incident "as quickly as possible" while maintaining safety for crews and the public.
Impact on travel and practical advice
The A628 closure is likely to disrupt journeys across the Pennines. Drivers planning to use the route between Hollingworth and Flouch should seek alternative routes and allow extra time. Those living or working near the moor should follow advice from emergency services and avoid the area to allow unobstructed access for response teams.
Officials continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates on road reopenings and the state of the moor as assessments of hotspots and ground conditions allow. Local residents and businesses affected by closures or smoke should check official channels for the latest information.
Further updates from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and partner agencies are expected as the operation progresses.
