Mayor and Deputy Mayor write open letter of thanks to firefighters
It's as the service continues to tackle the blaze at Langdale Moor
The Mayor David Skaith and Deputy Mayor Jo Coles have written an open letter to firefighters tackling the blaze at Langdale Moor. Today marks 11 days since the blaze fire broke out and it is still being treated as a major incident despite it now being brought under control.
The letter reads: 'We want to say a huge thank you to every single one of you for the incredible work you have done, and continue to do, to tackle the fire on Langdale Moor.
Your hard work in keeping the fire contained and stopping it from spreading further has made a huge difference to our communities. The care you’ve taken not just for residents, but for wildlife and the moorland itself, has been noticed and valued by us all. At a time when many people were worried, you were there to protect what matters most.
We also want to recognise the way you’ve kept everyone updated. The clear and timely information you’ve shared has helped communities feel safer, make the right decisions, and stay reassured in difficult circumstances. That communication has been every bit as important as the work on the ground.
It’s not just those fighting the fire in person we want to thank. Firefighters across York and North Yorkshire have stepped up to ensure the Service could continue responding to other emergencies across the region. And behind every crew on the moor there are control room staff, coordinators, and support teams working flat out to keep everything running smoothly. Your role is just as vital, and your efforts deserve the same appreciation.
We know how demanding this job is, and how much it asks of you. Incidents like this show again the incredible commitment, professionalism, and resilience of our fire and rescue service. What you’ve done over these past days has been outstanding, and we want you to know it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
We also want to thank your colleagues in other fire and rescue services including Humberside, West Yorkshire, and Cleveland, who have supported efforts to tackle this fire. Employers across our region who have released their staff to undertake on-call and volunteer firefighter duties, and the farmers and land managers who have stepped up and offered support, we’re incredibly grateful for your help and support.
On behalf of people right across York and North Yorkshire, thank you. We are all proud of you, and very grateful for all you’ve done to protect our communities, our countryside, and our wildlife. With our very best wishes and thanks,'
Meanwhile we are hearing how the fire at Langdale Moor is still being treated as a major incident - but crews say they're now getting it under control.
We're being told to expect smoke in the area for at least the next few days.
5 engines are there in the day and three at night. Crews say they expect to be on the scene for at least the next two weeks but say smoke plumes are reducing each day.
It's also been confirmed that 16 bombs have exploded since the fire started as the land is an old army range. Fire crews say that means they've had to change to tactics to keep crews safe.