Wildfire warning after moorland barbecue spotted - months after blazes on Ilkley Moor

Fire chiefs have issued a safety warning after a group of people were caught using a barbecue on Saddleworth Moor - just months after blazes on Ilkley Moor and Marsden Moor.
The burnt moorland at Ilkley Moor after the fire.The burnt moorland at Ilkley Moor after the fire.
The burnt moorland at Ilkley Moor after the fire.

The incident took place at Dovestone Reservoir amid soaring temperatures last Saturday, although luckily it did not start a blaze in the surrounding area.Last summer, firefighters from around the country spent more than a week battling a wildfire on the moor above Stalybridge - which was treated as arson - and needed the Army to be drafted in.Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) station manager Dave Swallow, who covers Mossley and Stalybridge, said: "Prevention and reassurance work around moorland fires continues across Greater Manchester, with ourselves often working closely with local councils and Greater Manchester Police."We continue to ask people to take care, especially when on the moors, and never light a barbecue or start any kind of fire. These fires are devastating and the consequences so costly - to the community, the environment and also to our service and resources."Regular patrols will continue at local beauty spots by GMFRS community safety staff, fire crews and volunteers including Women's Institute members.GMFRS has been working closely with local authorities, particularly Tameside and Oldham Councils, to implement Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) which, if enforced, mean anyone caught lighting a fire or barbecue in specified areas will be fined.

The warning comes after several moor fires in the Yorkshire region.

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Up to 170 firefighters from five brigades tackled major blazes on moorland above Marsden and Ilkley during the Easter weekend.

The Marsden moor blaze alone decimated as much as £200,000 of work to restore wildlife habitats.