Crews are ‘working hard’ and battling high winds as they try to bring it under control
Dozens of firefighters are tackling a ‘challenging’ moor fire which has spread into Greater Manchester.
The blaze currently covers an area of around three square mile miles around the New Year’s Bridge Reservoir in Denshaw, Oldham.
It is said to have originally broken out on Marsden Moor, with the first reports being received at around 1:30pm.
Crews from West Yorkshire raced the area around the March Haigh Reservoir.
The front of the fire was around 1,.5km. Firefighters used beaters and blowers to try and bring it under the control.
However, it began moving towards Greater Manchester. By 4pm it spanned an area 10x5km long.
By 5pm, the flames had reached over 1.5metres in height, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said.
After extinguishing a separate fire near Dovestone reservoir, at around 2pm, crews from Greater Manchester joined the operation as the fire crossed the border near to Denshaw.
Pictures from the area around the New Year’s Bridge reservoir showed bright orange flames leaping up off the moorland and the evening sky taking on an orange glow.
Plumes of smoke were also sent billowing, being visible and smelt as far afield as Bury.
At its height, around 15 fire engines were involved in tackling it.
The hub of activity is currently around the Wham Lane and Huddersfield Road area.
The A640 Huddersfield Road/New Hey Road has been closed from the Ralphs Lane, near Denshaw, to Hey Lane at Pole Moor. People have been urged to avoid the area whilst firefighters do their work.
In an update at 8pm, GMFRS said the fire was continuing to burn and was being fanned by high-winds, making it ‘very challenging.’
A spokesperson said, “Crews remain at the scene of a very challenging fire on the moorland.
“Firefighters are working hard to bring the fire under control against high winds with support from colleagues at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“We ask that the public stay well away from the area.”