Saddleworth Moor fire: Drone footage of DEVASTATING wildfire as temperatures SOAR to 86C
HOT summer weather in Britain has triggered a wildfire in the Saddleworth hills – watch as alarming drone footage captures the sheer scale of a moorland fire in Greater Manchester, that is developing into a major emergency.
A fire in the Saddleworth Moors in Greater Manchester was put out by firefighters on Sunday evening but the soaring temperatures triggered a fresh blaze.
According to the Huddersfield Examiner, the grass caught light again on Monday morning due to strong winds and high temperatures.
Manchester resident Kyle Jack Davies managed to capture the specular scene using a drone.
The shocking drone footage shows the huge fire make its through the Saddleworth hills in Greater Manchester as a result of the scorching temperatures.
Kyle Jack Davies/Twitter
Crews are making good progress this morning and are managing to get a hold on the fire
The video captures the huge scale of the fire as it rips through part of the moorland.
The huge plume of smoke could be seen from miles away by people across Greater Manchester.
Due to the remoteness of the blaze, firefighters’ effort to tackle it quickly was hindered.
Station Manager Lee Bourne, who is the incident commander, said: “Crews are making good progress this morning and are managing to get a hold on the fire.
“There is a concern about the amount of low lying smoke which is affecting local areas, namely Carbrook, Greenfield and parts of Saddleworth, along with Stalybridge.
“Due to the weather conditions and there being a lack of wind, the smoke has settled so it is important for residents to keep doors and windows closed where there is any visible smoke.”
As a result of the hot weather throughout much of the UK, the Met Office’s heat-health watch alert is set to level two – meaning social and healthcare services should be ready to reduce harm caused by the potential heatwave as it hits Britain.
Temperatures reached almost 30C in London on Monday and forecasters have predicted the rest of the week could be even hotter.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said there is a “big reason” for the hot weather because of an area of high pressure taking hold on Britain this week.
Mr Deakin said: “Three words to sum it up, it is going to be dry, hot and sunny for the vast majority - that sums up the entirety of this week.”
Dr Thomas Waite of Public Health England has urged people to keep an eye on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours who could be at risk from the very hot temperatures.
The expert warned the hot weather "can bring real health risks”.