Winter Hill fire beaten
THE Winter Hill fire is now officially out and the last firefighters have left the scene after 41 days tackling the blaze.
Public access is also being re-opened to the areas around the hill and Rivington Pike which overlook Bolton.
At its height nearly a month and a half ago, the moorland blaze covered an area of around 18 square kilometres, or seven square miles.
Firefighters from across the country were drafted in to help crews from Lancashire and Greater Manchester who battled scorching conditions in one of the hottest summers in living memory to prevent the blaze spreading.
Together with the help of a helicopter dumping water from above, they successfully protected homes without evacuations as well as preserving the Winter Hill TV transmitter and other communications masts which sit on the top of it.
The blaze, which eventually saw two big fires merge, started on Thursday, June 28, and areas continued to burn for several weeks, even after periods of much needed rainfall which bosses said would be the only thing which would eventually stamp it out.
Crews have now carried out their final checks and officially brought the fire service response to an end.
Justin Johnson, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s deputy chief fire officer, tweeted to say that the ‘stop message’ officially closing the incident had been sent.
He added: “A massive thank you to everyone who was involved in this monumental effort and to everyone who directly or indirectly supported us.”
The service is yet to fully assess the cost of its huge operation but reports said it may have to apply to central government to try to recoup some of the money.
Despite people now being allowed into the area again, fire chiefs are still warning the public to be extra careful and vigilant to ensure no new blazes break out.
In a statement, area manager Simon Fryer said: “Assessment of the incident ground this morning using thermal imaging showed that there are currently no hot-spots presenting a risk of further fires breaking out.
“As a result, the fire service will cease monitoring and leave the site in the hands of the landowners, who we have been working with throughout this incident.
“We ask that people take great care and are extra vigilant if visiting the area.
“Disposable barbecues, discarded cigarettes and even rubbish left on the ground can all start a fire. If anyone does spot a fire, they should call 999.”
Even when the response was in full flow people were seen ignoring the exclusion zone and roaming the affected areas, some even with disposable barbecues.
Walkers and others are being urged to stick to footpaths to allow the scorched and badly damaged ground to recover.
David Goode, public rights of way manager for Lancashire County Council, said: “We’re continuing to work with the fire service and other partners to manage the recovery phase of the emergency incident, and are now in the process of reopening these areas.
“It’s important that people stick to the public paths for now to avoid any further damage to the environment and allow it to recover.”
A 20-year-old man from Wigan and a 22-year-old man from Bolton were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the fire. Both have since been released under investigation.