Ongoing blazes on moorland remain a major incident for Manchester
Wildfires on moorland around Manchester are still burning more than two weeks after they first started, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has confirmed. Crews have been tackling flames on multiple fronts, with efforts concentrated at Dove Stone following a merge between the Saddleworth and Tintwistle fires, and at Swineshaw.
GMFRS said in recent briefings that more than 100 firefighters and volunteers have been engaged in firefighting operations. Specialist teams drafted in from across the UK have also been deployed to identify and control remaining hotspots in difficult terrain.
- Locations affected: Dove Stone, Saddleworth, Tintwistle, Swineshaw
- Resources deployed: 100+ firefighters and volunteers; specialist crews from other UK services
- Scale: Fires across Greater Manchester and Derbyshire have burned hundreds of hectares — reported as equivalent to 1,250 football pitches
Although light rainfall and mist have recently dampened parts of the moorland, the service warned that the blazes have not been extinguished and the situation continues to be classified as a major incident. Operations remain focused on preventing re-ignition and protecting the surrounding communities and infrastructure.
"I'm incredibly proud of our firefighters, who have shown outstanding resilience and bravery this weekend to tackle these wildfires in challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain,"
GMFRS's head of response, Ben Levy, paid tribute to crews for their response and highlighted the collaborative work with partner agencies. The cross-boundary nature of the fires — merging between Greater Manchester and neighbouring Derbyshire — has complicated containment efforts and required mutual aid.
| Area | Current status |
|---|---|
| Dove Stone | Active firefighting on two fronts |
| Saddleworth / Tintwistle | Fires have merged; hotspots being controlled |
| Swineshaw | Ongoing containment work |
The scale of vegetation lost has been described by the landowner in terms that underline the environmental impact — hundreds of hectares of moorland burnt. Local residents in affected and downwind areas may continue to experience smoke and reduced air quality while crews work to dampen and cool remaining embers.
For the communities that border the moorlands, the prolonged incident is a reminder of the vulnerability of exposed upland landscapes to wildfire and the pressure such events place on emergency services. GMFRS continues to coordinate with partners to bring the incident under control and to advise the public if further precautionary measures are necessary.
