Greater Manchester Choked by Smoke as Moorland Wildfire Rages, Shuts Woodhead Pass
A massive wildfire has ravaged Tintwistle Moor near Greater Manchester, causing widespread smoke, road closures, and prompting an avoid-the-area warning. Fire crews from Derbyshire and Greater Manchester are tackling the blaze, which ignited amid a severe heatwave, with smoke drifting across the region. Residents are advised to keep windows closed and find alternative routes due to the ongoing incident.
A significant wildfire erupted on Tintwistle Moor near Greater Manchester on Wednesday evening, June 24, around 10pm, subsequently escalating throughout Thursday afternoon, June 25. The blaze dramatically affected moorland and wooded areas near Glossop and Tameside, visible from the Woodhead Pass with large flames and extensive plumes of smoke billowing across the vicinity.
The Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service reported that approximately 400 square metres of moorland and woodland were impacted by the fire. Due to its intensity and spread, the A628 Woodhead Pass was closed in both directions between the Gun Inn at Mottram Moor A57 and the roundabout at Flouch, junction with the A616. Motorists were advised by National Highways to use the M62 as an alternative route and anticipate delays.
Public safety warnings were immediately issued, urging people to avoid the area. Residents living close by were specifically advised to keep their windows and doors closed to mitigate the effects of the heavy smoke. Reports from across Greater Manchester, including Oldham, Middleton, and Ashton, indicated widespread smoke in the air and a noticeable haze drifting over the region, including the M60.
Firefighting efforts involved a collaborative approach between Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS). Crews, supported by a water carrier, welfare unit, and command support unit, continued to tackle the incident in what MP Jon Pearce for High Peak described as 'challenging conditions'. Pearce also highlighted High Peak as the most vulnerable constituency to wildfires in the UK, stressing the importance of protecting moorlands, countryside, and communities, especially during hot, dry periods.
The wildfire occurred amidst a severe heatwave affecting western Europe, driven by a