Photo credit: PA

 

Some 200 soldiers and firefighters joined forces to fight wildfires on the Pennine Moors.

 

A number of blazes are consuming the moorlands, as 80 firefighters worked throughout the night to tackle a new outbreak on Winter Hill.

 

The new grassland fire was situated near Rivington, around 50km from the larger blaze on Saddleworth Moor.

 

 

Tony Hunter, assistant chief fire officer of GMFRS, said there had been a "significant effect" on the blazes over the past 24 hours.

 

"We have made significant improvements but I would put an air of caution there though, we had a similar occasion yesterday where we thought we were on top of it and it flared up."

 

Mr Hunter cautioned that whilst everything was now "contained and under control", he warned, "things can develop."

 

If the wind blows the flames back on to the moorlands, it will act as a "fuel source" to reignite the fire, he added.

 

 

The operation could last for weeks said the assistant chief, before the fire burns itself out and "a significant downpour of rain" would aid the situation.

 

However, that is unlikely as the heatwave is set to continue. 

 

According to Sky News, Pete Woodward, a resident whose home is allocated 20m away from the fires, spent the night at his brother's home after an evacuation on Tuesday. 

 

"I got back to the house last night to a towering inferno behind, very apocalyptic in view, and it was quite scary but exciting at the same time," said Mr Woodward.

 

 

The GMFRS have urged people to take care during the warmer weather, as they are "extremely busy."

 

They have reminded the public to only call if it's an emergency.

 

Head of Prevention for GMFRS, Area Manager Paul Etches, said: 

 

"Please stay safe by ensuring barbecues are used safely and are fully extinguished before you go to bed, and please take care when cooking – don’t leave pans unattended and don’t drink and cook."

 

 

Besides the risk of fires, water safety was highlighted by Mr Etches.

 

“Take care around the water – in this weather, it might seem like a good idea to cool off in a local reservoir or lake but the water can be a lot cooler than you think and can send your body into shock. Even the strongest of swimmers can get into difficulties and there can be unknown hazards lurking underwater," he added. 

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