Greater Manchester Inferno: Arson Arrests and Road Chaos as Moorland Burns

A significant section of the A628 Woodhead Pass, traversing moorland near Greater Manchester, will remain closed in both directions until at least Monday, July 27. This prolonged closure is a direct consequence of a major wildfire that has engulfed parts of Derbyshire, initially ignited by a car that burst into flames on Thursday, July 16, along a stretch of the A628 between the A57 at Hollingworth and the A616 at Flouch. The wildfire itself has been an ongoing incident, with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service responding since June 24, and a Major Incident was formally declared on July 12 due to the fire's extensive reach and the substantial emergency service resources required.

A comprehensive multi-agency response is currently in full effect, spearheaded by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and supported by National Highways, Derbyshire Police, and various partner agencies. Firefighting operations are being conducted with assistance from fire and rescue services drawn from across the country, further bolstered by helicopters actively performing water drops over the affected areas. The decision to keep the A628 closed is a critical measure implemented at the request of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, ensuring that emergency personnel can continue their vital firefighting efforts safely and efficiently.

In a separate but related series of incidents, police have made two arrests concerning woodland fires near Glossop, which are believed to have originated from a campfire. A man from Bury and a woman from Manchester, both in their twenties, were apprehended on suspicion of arson and have since been released on police bail as investigations proceed. The initial blaze was reported on Saturday, July 18, when firefighters from Glossop were called to an out-of-control campfire in a woodland area off Monks Road. This location is notably subject to a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), underscoring the severity of such uncontrolled fires. Crews utilized water backpacks and beaters to bring the fire under control.

However, the area saw a resurgence of fire activity on July 20, when a significantly larger fire erupted in the same patch of woodland. This necessitated a much broader emergency response, involving crews from Glossop, Buxton, Bradwell, and Ashbourne, supported by two water carriers and two helicopters, with firefighters remaining on-site through the night to tackle the extensive blaze. Authorities have acknowledged that it remains unconfirmed whether the July 18 and July 20 incidents are linked or represent separate occurrences. A critical concern raised by emergency services is that these Glossop fires diverted multiple essential resources away from the ongoing Tintwistle Wildfire, thereby adding considerable strain to the overall firefighting capabilities in the region. Shocking images from both the Woodhead Pass and Glossop incidents have highlighted the destructive power of these blazes, showing a car completely engulfed in flames and substantial woodland areas reduced to blackened logs and ashes.