Moorland burning at Crowden/Glossop

[Devil's advocate]

Derbyshire moorland fire: People asked to avoid area

Image copyright Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Image caption Firefighters said the blaze is near to the A628, which goes

vtn.co

I saw the smoke today from the Hoylandswaine roundabout so perhaps 8 miles as the crow flies may be more just guessing. I actually guessed Saddleworth moor so way out.

Nothing on Look North so resorted to Google.

Bad mangement with too much input from rewilding types is the usual problem

 

[Agrivator]

Derbyshire moorland fire: People asked to avoid area

Image copyright Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Image caption Firefighters said the blaze is near to the A628, which goes

vtn.co

I saw the smoke today from the Hoylandswaine roundabout so perhaps 8 miles as the crow flies may be more just guessing. I actually guessed Saddleworth moor so way out.

Nothing on Look North so resorted to Google.

Bad mangement with too much input from rewilding types is the usual problem

If you can't burn hill land under controlled conditions when you want to burn it, it will probably burn out-of-control when you haven't made preparations to burn it.

One major problem is that there are far fewer gamekeepers and shepherds who are experienced in burning hill ground.

 

[kfpben]

Apparently it’s on an RSPB reserve. They don’t believe in controlled burning...

 

[Northern territory]

This is a real problem and is only going to get worse. Absolutely right about less farmers and keepers who have the experience.

 

[bluebell]

they dont believe in controlled burning, that says it all ? they have had for far to long to much power and influence , maybe thats going to start changing when some sort of local knowledge, common sense takes over, or not ?

 

[Whitepeak]

From the Peak District Moorland Group Facebook page:
Wildfire has struck again on our Peak District Moors, not on a Moor managed for shooting, but on Crowden Moor owned by United Utilities but managed by RSPB.

A local ' keeper assessed the fire this morning with Glossop Fire Rescue Service. It appeared to be a small fire that had reignited over night from smouldering peat. As the heat of the morning progressed, along with drying winds, it has developed into a very substantial fire, with a width of around 2 kilometers and 4 separate fronts burning, into heather clad rocks and "wetted" gullies.

2 RSPB employees might have felt very under staffed with only heather beaters and no blowers or fogging units to hand. Thankfully a neighbouring keeper ran fire hoses out with his ATV, whilst another cut vegetation to slow up back burning. At least 6 Peak District shooting Estates had been in contact on our network to provide experience, equipment and support if needed - but also hugely aware of leaving there own areas unguarded and the issues that the Covid 19 crisis also brings to the mix with working in close proximity with others.

A helicopter has been deployed and it appears that this fire could run into the massive Saddleworth/Dove Stones fire of 2018 (which of course will enable easier control because of the reduced fuel load on this area).

The smoke plume can be seen for miles and due to the dry conditions will be setting the peat alight. We would suggest a huge difference from when consented cool burns are established to reduce fuel load build up?

Now is not the time to ask the searching questions, but areas of huge concern to us are that the Fire Severity Index was showing Amber and Yellow warnings (severe and elevated) from mid day today, but for those of us on the ground we have had concerns that this condition has been in an elevated state over the last week, and have made this known. From our images it is also clear that the "wetted" gullies are no great mitigation tool by themselves and its clear that dry sphagnum is a very combustible medium.

 

[Kryten]

"its clear that dry sphagnum is a very combustible medium"

 

[toquark]

I was recently visiting friends in Derbyshire who live at the edge of a moor which traditionally was burned for grazing and walked up grouse, its been left for over a decade now under instruction of the peak district NP, the heather and molinia was waist deep and tinder dry.

The amount of influence these agenda driven bodies have is disgraceful and needs challenging.

 

[Agrivator]

If farmers and gamekeepers could control burn, and shoot any predators they thought should be shot, we would have a far more diverse wildlife on Moorland.
And there could be 100% grants for reseeding patches with grass, clover and persistent herbs for the benefit of chicks of all kinds, as well as sheep.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

If farmers and gamekeepers could control burn, and shoot any predators they thought should be shot, we would have a far more diverse wildlife on Moorland.
And there could be 100% grants for reseeding patches with grass, clover and persistent herbs for the benefit of chicks of all kinds, as well as sheep.

Double like.

 

[renewablejohn]

You would have thought United Utilities would have learnt from the fires on Winter Hill but obviously not as the policies have not changed for the better in fact if anything things have got worse with there push into tree planting with no maintenance.

 

[RushesToo]

From the Peak District Moorland Group Facebook page:
Wildfire has struck again on our Peak District Moors, not on a Moor managed for shooting, but on Crowden Moor owned by United Utilities but managed by RSPB.

A local ' keeper assessed the fire this morning with Glossop Fire Rescue Service. It appeared to be a small fire that had reignited over night from smouldering peat. As the heat of the morning progressed, along with drying winds, it has developed into a very substantial fire, with a width of around 2 kilometers and 4 separate fronts burning, into heather clad rocks and "wetted" gullies.

2 RSPB employees might have felt very under staffed with only heather beaters and no blowers or fogging units to hand. Thankfully a neighbouring keeper ran fire hoses out with his ATV, whilst another cut vegetation to slow up back burning. At least 6 Peak District shooting Estates had been in contact on our network to provide experience, equipment and support if needed - but also hugely aware of leaving there own areas unguarded and the issues that the Covid 19 crisis also brings to the mix with working in close proximity with others.

A helicopter has been deployed and it appears that this fire could run into the massive Saddleworth/Dove Stones fire of 2018 (which of course will enable easier control because of the reduced fuel load on this area).

The smoke plume can be seen for miles and due to the dry conditions will be setting the peat alight. We would suggest a huge difference from when consented cool burns are established to reduce fuel load build up?

Now is not the time to ask the searching questions, but areas of huge concern to us are that the Fire Severity Index was showing Amber and Yellow warnings (severe and elevated) from mid day today, but for those of us on the ground we have had concerns that this condition has been in an elevated state over the last week, and have made this known. From our images it is also clear that the "wetted" gullies are no great mitigation tool by themselves and its clear that dry sphagnum is a very combustible medium.

Well the Peak District Moorland Group seem to be operating on a great deal of common sense.
I think they wrote well without accusastion and just getting on with it, I hope this attitude will get those in charge of Rakes Moss to engage with their experience and skill and use it wisely in the future.

You have to have hope.
Well done the Peak District Moorland Group .

 

[ollie989898]

'They don't believe in controlled burning'. Meaning: they prefer uncontrolled burning.

How the fudge does a 'wetted gully' stop a fire? A tiny cinder need only blow 10 feet and start flames elsewhere!!