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Soldiers and RAF helicopter sent in to tackle moorlands fire Soldiers and RAF helicopter sent in to tackle moorlands fire
(about 7 hours later)
About 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter have been deployed to tackle a fire near Saddleworth Moor, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Soldiers and an RAF helicopter are due to arrive in Greater Manchester to assist with tackling the huge moorland fire that has raged for days.
Military help was requested on Wednesday to help battle the moorlands blaze, which has raged for days. About 100 troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were sent from their barracks in Catterick, North Yorkshire, overnight.
The fire covers 3.7miles (6km) of moorland above Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, and prompted the evacuation of up to 100 homes. A Chinook helicopter will fly out of RAF Odiham, Hampshire, later to move water-pumping equipment by air.
Firefighters will work through the night to tackle the blaze. Military help was requested on Wednesday to help battle the blaze.
The troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, are being sent overnight from their barracks in Catterick, North Yorkshire, to join firefighters in Tameside. About sixty firefighters worked overnight to subdue pockets of flames in the fire which had spread across 3.7miles (6km) of moorland above Stalybridge.
They are due to support the effort by managing water lines and assisting in fire beating. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has faced a catalogue of hurdles in trying to quell the blaze including frequent changes in wind direction, the heavy concentration of flammable peat in the ground and the tinder-dry foliage which has baked in searing temperatures.
The soldiers, who are due to arrive on Thursday morning, will be stationed at an Army training centre and are due to support the effort by managing water lines and assisting in fire beating.
Fire chiefs had asked the military to help move high-volume pump equipment by air to help douse the flames.Fire chiefs had asked the military to help move high-volume pump equipment by air to help douse the flames.
Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), said it had asked for assistance "to move some high volume pumps by air to locations that we couldn't get them to with vehicles". Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at GMFRS, said it had asked for assistance "to move some high volume pumps by air to locations that we couldn't get them to with vehicles".
Military intervention would also allow firefighters to access more remote areas "so we can get there quicker with more people with the water supplies we hope to put in place to try and resolve the incident in a quicker nature", Mr Keelan added.Military intervention would also allow firefighters to access more remote areas "so we can get there quicker with more people with the water supplies we hope to put in place to try and resolve the incident in a quicker nature", Mr Keelan added.
He said transporting two of the high volume pumps to remote locations would give his crews an "excellent quantity of water with a nice main across a big area that we can tap into".He said transporting two of the high volume pumps to remote locations would give his crews an "excellent quantity of water with a nice main across a big area that we can tap into".
Moorland fire in picturesMoorland fire in pictures
How do you tackle a moorland blaze?How do you tackle a moorland blaze?
Announcing the deployment of soldiers, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "I pay tribute to our armed forces' professionalism, dedication and sense of duty.Announcing the deployment of soldiers, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "I pay tribute to our armed forces' professionalism, dedication and sense of duty.
"They are proving once again that Britain can always depend on our troops to protect us no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem.""They are proving once again that Britain can always depend on our troops to protect us no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem."
On Wednesday, firefighters had faced the arduous task of hauling pumps and hoses for up to two miles in blistering heat to reach parts of the fire.On Wednesday, firefighters had faced the arduous task of hauling pumps and hoses for up to two miles in blistering heat to reach parts of the fire.
Greater Manchester Police deployed a helicopter to assess the scene and United Utilities provided a helicopter to drop water on to remote areas.Greater Manchester Police deployed a helicopter to assess the scene and United Utilities provided a helicopter to drop water on to remote areas.
The blaze is now entering its fourth day, having started on Sunday it was initially brought under control but reignited on Monday and has continued throughout the hot and dry weather this week. The blaze has now entered its fourth day.
Having started on Sunday it was initially brought under control but reignited on Monday and has continued throughout the hot and dry weather this week.
About 150 people were forced to leave their homes in the village of Carrbrook on Tuesday evening as the fire encroached, with many staying with family and friends.About 150 people were forced to leave their homes in the village of Carrbrook on Tuesday evening as the fire encroached, with many staying with family and friends.
The majority had returned by Wednesday afternoon.The majority had returned by Wednesday afternoon.