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Winter Hill: Crews battle 'aggressive' merged moorland fire Winter Hill: Crews battle 'aggressive' merged moorland fire
(about 3 hours later)
Dozens of fire crews are continuing to battle "a rapidly developing and aggressive fire" on moorland across Lancashire. Fire crews are continuing to battle "a rapidly developing and aggressive fire" on moorland across Lancashire.
Two large fires merged because of increasing wind speed and a major incident was declared on Saturday. Two large fires merged because of strong winds and a major incident was declared because of the proximity of major communication masts.
Police told pedestrians and motorists to stay away from the scene at Winter Hill and Scout Road near Bolton Police told walkers and motorists to stay away from the scene at Winter Hill and Scout Road near Bolton.
Crews worked through the night and the fire service said "full fire-fighting operations" resumed at 04:30 BST. More than 100 firefighters from around England are tackling the fire, Lancashire Fire service said.
It comes as crews from around the country have joined firefighters and the Army to deal with a separate fire at Saddleworth Moor in Greater Manchester, which started a week ago. It comes as crews from across the country also joined firefighters and the Army to fight a separate fire at Saddleworth Moor in Greater Manchester, which started a week ago.
Along with the Winter Hill and Scout Road blazes, it has blanketed the region in smoke and ash. People in nearby areas have been asked to keep doors and windows closed.Along with the Winter Hill and Scout Road blazes, it has blanketed the region in smoke and ash. People in nearby areas have been asked to keep doors and windows closed.
'Exceptionally challenging' The Winter Hill fire, which started on Thursday near a major TV transmitter, is smouldering in pockets across a 3 sq miles (8 sq km) area.
The Winter Hill blaze, which started on Thursday near a major TV transmitter, is smouldering across a 1.9 sq miles (5 sq km) area.
A 22-year-old man, from Bolton, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.A 22-year-old man, from Bolton, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Lancashire fire service area manager Tony Cook said "very intensive fire-fighting" was taking place at the scene. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said they were expecting to tackle the fire until Tuesday at the earliest.
He said crews were doing shuttle runs in appliances to get water to the flames while others manually try to beat the fire out. Assistant chief fire officer Dave Russell said: "Moorland firefighting is very demanding - the firefighters are dealing with undulating terrain, different types of vegetation but also the logistics of deploying resources onto the moorland present us with a number of challenges.
Fire break trenches are also being dug to try to protect local buildings and a helicopter has been dropping water to help douse the flames. "We're dealing with smouldering fire and flame thumps, which could be 6 to 8 feet.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said on Saturday it had 28 fire engines tackling the moorland fires. "My concern primarily yesterday was on the top of Winter Hill there are a number of radio telecommunication systems, which are essentially part of critical national infrastructure."
There were approximately 120 personnel on the moors, split between seven areas of wildfire in Tameside and Winter Hill. Trenches have been dug to prevent the fire spreading, including one around a house that was evacuated, while a helicopter has been dropping water to help douse the flames.
Assistant chief fire officer Dave Keelan said: "This is an exceptionally challenging time and I am proud of the hard work and brave commitment of our firefighters." Greater Manchester assistant chief fire officer Dave Keelan said: "This is an exceptionally challenging time and I am proud of the hard work and brave commitment of our firefighters."
There have been approximately 120 firefighters on the moors over the weekend, split between seven areas of wildfire in Tameside and Winter Hill.
About 100 soldiers from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were sent from their Yorkshire barracks on Thursday to aid firefighters in Saddleworth for an initial 48-hour deployment.About 100 soldiers from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were sent from their Yorkshire barracks on Thursday to aid firefighters in Saddleworth for an initial 48-hour deployment.
Their presence has been extended until Monday afternoon following a request by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.Their presence has been extended until Monday afternoon following a request by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
Have you been affected by the moorland fires? If it's safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the moorland fires? If it's safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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