Firefighters are battling a large wildfire in the Peak District amid scorching June temperatures in the UK. The fire started at Tintwistle Moor above Woodhead Road around 10 pm on Wednesday, causing extensive damage to wooded and grassy areas near Glossop and Tameside, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Both Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service worked tirelessly to contain the blaze throughout Thursday. They briefly withdrew from the scene at 2 am due to fading light, only to return at 4 am. On Thursday, six fire crews, a water carrier, and a welfare unit were present at the site.
Dramatic footage from the Derby Mountain Rescue Team revealed the extent of the fire, affecting approximately 400 square meters of moorland and woodland. Meanwhile, the Met Office recorded a temperature of 36.7°C in Merryfield, Somerset, on Thursday afternoon, marking it as the hottest June day on record in the UK, surpassing the previous day’s record of 36.1°C in Gosport, Hampshire, set in 1976.
In response to the wildfire, Jon Pearce, MP for High Peak, expressed concern on Facebook, highlighting the vulnerability of the region to wildfires and emphasizing the importance of protecting moorlands, countryside, and communities during hot, dry weather conditions. He urged caution, advising against using disposable barbecues, lighting fires, littering, or leaving glass bottles in the countryside.
The A628 Woodhead Pass has been closed by the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service between the Gun Inn, Mottram Moor (A57) and the roundabout at Flouch, junction with the A616. Authorities have cautioned people to stay away from the area and recommended keeping windows and doors closed if smoke is visible or can be smelled.
National Highways confirmed the closure of the A628 Woodhead Pass in both directions between the A57 and A616 due to the wildfire, suggesting motorists use the M62 as an alternative route.