Fire crews return to Derbyshire moorland wildfire

Fire crews have returned to a large blaze on moorland in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) said crews were first called to the fire near the Errwood Reservoir in the Goyt Valley at 11:42 BST on Wednesday.

Ten fire engines from Derbyshire and Cheshire were sent to the scene, known as the Cat and Fiddle, but at 21:45 all but one of the crews were withdrawn due to failing light.

A reinspection on Thursday prompted the return of eight crews with support vehicles, assisted by a water drop helicopter.

Crews from Buxton, Glossop, Crich on-call and wholetime crews from Matlock, as well as four crews from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service are currently in attendance assisted by two Argocats and the Command Support Unit.

Support is also being provided by United Utilities, Derby Mountain Rescue Team and Peak District National Park rangers.

Firefighters are using beaters, water backpacks and fogging units to tackle the fire.

Jess Coatesworth, from the Peak District Fire Operations Group, confirmed the blaze was ongoing but had been reduced in size.

She said: “We are trying to stop it spreading into woodland because then it gets really quite hard to control.

“We are getting lots of water on it, cutting some fire breaks in the heather, but it takes a lot of manpower and it’s hot – it’s really hard work.”

She said there was no indication of a cause yet but repeated calls to avoid lighting any sort of fire or leaving litter.

“The fires are hugely damaging,” she added.

“There is lots of wildlife (and) birds nesting on the ground at the moment but this is also next to a reservoir of drinking water, so it’s a big job to clean that.”

The Cat and Fiddle A54 is currently open, however, a road known locally as Derbyshire Bridge, between the Cat and Fiddle to Errwood Reservoir, is closed, the fire service said.

On Wednesday, smoke could be seen from miles away and affected local roads and reached the centre of Buxton.

People nearby are being told to keep doors and windows closed.