Firefighters at scene of moorland blaze amid flare-ups
FIREFIGHTERS REMAINED at the scene of a moorland blaze in West Yorkshire yesterday as pockets of fire continue to flare up.
West Yorkshire Fire Service said 35 firefighters were still working on Catstones Moor near Cullingworth, between Keighley and Bradford, where a blaze began on Sunday afternoon.
The fire was reported shortly after 3pm, prompting the closure of Keighley Road and Ryecroft Road.
Nearby residents were advised to keep their doors and windows closed, while air passengers reported on social media about seeing the smoke as they approached Leeds-Bradford Airport.
At its height, the response involved 12 fire engines and about 50 firefighters.
A brigade spokesman said seven fire appliances remained at Catstones Moor yesterday.
He added that conditions were much better as the weather was cooler and the wind had dropped, but crews were likely to be there for the best part of the day. Yesterday, Incident Commander Ben Bush said: “We are working in much better conditions today as the temperature and the heat has dropped. Firefighters are extinguishing pockets of fire as they appear.” The blaze follows a huge fire that began last month on Saddleworth Moor, which saw troops being brought in to help firefighters, and another major moorland fire at Winter Hill, near Bolton.