Firefighters give update after huge blaze on Marsden Moor
It's the seventh there this year
Firefighters are continuing to battle a blaze on Marsden Moor, which broke out late on Monday night (22 May).
Crews are working to stop it spreading beyond a 2km square area, and are tackling hotspots that could ignite dry grass.
Firefighters from Rastrick and Hunslet are in attendance with Todmorden Wildfire Unit, wildfire support and Skelmanthorpe welfare unit.
Station Manager Adrian Bairstow, who has been leading the operation said: "“This morning was the best time to attack the flames as it was cool and there was hardly any wind,” he said.
“What we are left with now is a large black area of burnt vegetation measuring around 2km square.
“There are several hot spots within that area where embers are still burning away, but we have now managed to get rid of the flames.
Crews are now walking around the perimeter, extinguishing any hot spots at the edges to stop the fire spreading onto fresh grass.
“The fire has spread so quickly because the dry grass burns easily and with this warm weather we know there is no rain coming.
Dealing with a fire on this scale is exhausting work for firefighters who have been using beaters and blowers as well as the Argocat.”
People are being asked to avoid the area around Wessenden Road, Marsden.