Smoke over Flintshire linked to major moorland blaze
Residents across Flintshire woke again on Friday to the unmistakable smell of smoke, prompting fresh concern that a fire might be burning nearby. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has now confirmed the source: smoke drifting in from the large, ongoing wildfire around Dovestone Reservoir on the Saddleworth Moors in Greater Manchester.
A service spokesperson said they had fielded more calls from the public about the odour affecting communities across the county. In a statement, they explained there were no local incidents to account for it, adding:
"We've received reports from members of the public of smoke affecting the Flintshire area. We believe this smoke is from the ongoing incident in the Manchester area. We do not currently have any ongoing incidents in this area."
Firefighting continues on two fronts
The fire at Dovestone Reservoir, near Saddleworth, began on the evening of Saturday, 11 July and has continued for seven consecutive days. More than 100 firefighters and volunteers have been deployed, battling flames on two fronts — at Dovestone itself and at nearby Lower Swine Shaw. Crews have also used helicopters for water-bombing runs across scorched moorland. Officers have acknowledged it is not yet possible to say when the blaze will be fully contained.
The returning smoke smell follows a surge of similar reports on 14 July, when people across Flintshire and Wrexham described a strong, at times “burning rubber”-like odour. On that occasion, the smoke was traced to the same Manchester wildfires carried west on an easterly wind, with conditions compounded by smaller, now-extinguished fires on Conwy Mountain and Halkyn Mountain.
Public health advice for residents
Public Health Wales has continued to issue precautionary guidance where drifting smoke is present. The advice is intended to minimise irritation to the eyes, nose and throat and to reduce the risk of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
- Keep windows and doors closed if smoke is noticeable or causing irritation.
- Limit time outdoors if the air quality is uncomfortable.
- Seek medical advice if you develop persistent breathing problems or symptoms worsen.
While the odour has been unsettling for many, fire officers stress there are no ongoing incidents in Flintshire at this time, and the smell relates to conditions beyond the county boundary.
What we know at a glance
| Location / Incident | Area | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dovestone Reservoir wildfire | Saddleworth, Greater Manchester | Ongoing; active for seven consecutive days |
| Lower Swine Shaw front | Near Dovestone | Being tackled alongside main incident |
| Conwy Mountain fire | Conwy | Extinguished (earlier this week) |
| Halkyn Mountain grass fire | Flintshire | Extinguished (earlier this week) |
| Local incidents today | Flintshire | None reported by fire service |
Community response and next steps
Friday’s reports mirrored last week’s anxiety, when social media in Flintshire filled with questions about smoke and a Broughton resident described waking in the early hours fearing a fire nearby. Firefighters emphasise that any strong smell today is most likely to be smoke drifting from the Saddleworth area rather than a local emergency, and that they will continue to monitor and respond to any verified incidents within the county.
Residents are encouraged to follow the public health advice above, check on neighbours who may be more vulnerable to smoky conditions, and report any signs of fire locally via the usual emergency channels. The situation on the moors remains changeable, and while efforts to control the blaze continue with ground crews and helicopter support, smoke may intermittently carry into North Wales depending on the weather.
