Full scale of moor fire devastation is confirmed
MORE than 100 firefighters spent over 48 hours tackling the Marsden Moor blaze, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has said as the full scale of the devastation was confirmed.
The National Trust has estimated that two square miles on Bobus Moor, Butterley Moor and Black Moss Moor – all part of Marsden Moor – have been decimated by the flames, thought to have been started by a careless member of the public.
West Yorkshire Police are investigating the circumstances of the fire and the Crown Prosecution Service is weighing up whether to charge a man and woman suspected of causing it.
Depending on the evidence, the pair could face a fine, a community order or even a prison sentence.
The National Trust says the fire damage has a perimeter of some six miles. The area of damage is only slightly smaller than the four-day blaze in April 2019, with the moorland restoration bill said to be at least £500,000.
It is likely that a significant amount of birds and other wildlife perished in the flames alongside the destruction of their habitat for years to come.
WYFRS said it had about 70 firefighters on scene at the peak of the incident, 13 fire engines and numerous specialist wildfire teams were deployed.
They were helped by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), other emergency partners, the National Trust, Kirklees Council, landowners and gamekeepers, Mountain Rescue, Plymouth Brethren Response team and others, following the first call to raise the alarm at 7pm last Sunday.
Since then, over 100 firefighters from across both fire services have been on the scene, day and night, to fight the fire and protect local communities.
A helicopter was brought in on Monday to develop an understanding of the fire, ensuring resources could be deployed where most needed.
Ultimately the heavy rain on Tuesday night put the fire out, some 50 hours after it began. Crews will continue to monitor the area as needed.
Area manager for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Scott Donegan, said: “This has been a complex operation across a large area of land.
“Let’s let this incident demonstrate the importance of our Be Moor Aware message. Moorland fires can spread very quickly and can put people, animals and property at risk.
“Please do think about the consequences that careless or irresponsible behaviour can have on our moorlands.”