Moon 'turns blood red' as firefighters battle raging moorland fires

Firefighters from Lancashire turned out to the blaze on Saddleworth Moor which has now been declared a major incident.

Crews from Bamber Bridge, Clitheroe and Lytham assisted teams from Greater Manchester Fire Service in their battle to bring the fire, which covered a six kilometre area, under control.

Today fire crews, including firefighters from Preston, Longridge and Fleetwood, are poised to launch a "heavy attack" to combat the vast moorland blaze which led to the evacuation of a number of homes.

Pockets of fire continue to burn across Saddleworth Moor today as 50 firefighters continue work in "tremendously difficult conditions" to contain the situation amid the ongoing heatwave.

Among the affected areas is the village of Carrbrook, in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, where 34 households in the Calico Crescent area were evacuated on Tuesday night as a precaution when strong winds pushed flames near their properties.

A major incident was declared and the Army remains on standby as Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) put in a plan of action to douse the fire which initially broke out on Sunday afternoon before it reignited the following day and has since worsened.

The news comes as the ongoing heatwave caused grass to become tinder dry leaving the county's firefighters battling four grass fires in the space of a week across Lancashire.

In Rivington, firefighters continued to watch over the site of a large grass fire near to Sheep House Lane.

Around 20 acres of moorland, including a new tree plantation, were devastated by the fire which started on Monday evening.

Roads were closed as crews tried to beat out the flames and used misting equipment to damp down the fire.

The fire was largely brought under control by Monday evening say firefighters, although pockets reignited early on Tuesday leading to more firefighters being sent to the area.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: "We'll be keeping a presence up on Rivington Pike throughout the day to continue monitoring the fire ground.

"There's currently no flame front however there are still small pockets smoking here and there which we're keeping an eye on so as to prevent re-ignition."

One crew remains at the scene on Wednesday to maintain a watching brief.

Residents across Chorley and Leyland reported a strong smell of smoke and a haze today and the moon over the county turned a deep blood red.