Moors on fire alert as warm weather continues

With the warm, dry weather continuing, national park authorities are asking walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts to be particularly careful, especially on moorland. The North York Moors National Park is now on fire alert and staff will be putting fire risk warning signs up on moorland sites this week advising people how they can help to reduce the risk. It follows similar action earlier this week in the Peak District National Park. Firefighters and Peak District National Park rangers have already had to tackle six moorland fires since the beginning of April, with blazes breaking out at Dovestones near Oldham, Marsden Moor, Ramshaw Rocks near Warslow, Walker Edge near Broomhead reservoir, Moscar Moor near Ladybower and Reaps Moor near Warslow.

“Past episodes have shown that under these tinderbox conditions, moorland fires can spread extremely quickly causing significant damage to the landscape and its wildlife,” warns Bernie McLinden, the North York Moors National Park Authority’s Head of Park Management. “Moorland fires at this time of year can be particularly devastating as birds such as lapwing and curlew are nesting on the ground. The majority of moorland fires can be prevented so we would urge people to take extra care when visiting the National Park while the fire risk signs are in place.”

The warm weather is set to continue over the Easter weekend and this, coupled with a lack of rain and very dry ground vegetation like heather and bracken, has prompted the alerts. The Met Office’s fire severity index is predicted to hit level four on Good Friday, just below the point at which Countryside and Rights of Way Act open access land is closed automatically.