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Marsden Moor wildfire damaged 14,000 new trees Marsden Moor wildfire damaged 14,000 new trees
(1 day later)
The fire broke out near March Haigh Reservoir in HuddersfieldThe fire broke out near March Haigh Reservoir in Huddersfield
A recent wildfire that broke out on Marsden Moor destroyed nearly 14,000 new trees, a councillor has said.A recent wildfire that broke out on Marsden Moor destroyed nearly 14,000 new trees, a councillor has said.
Fire crews were called to a large wildfire near March Haigh Reservoir, near Huddersfield, at about 17:00 BST on 10 April.Fire crews were called to a large wildfire near March Haigh Reservoir, near Huddersfield, at about 17:00 BST on 10 April.
The National Trust, which owns the land, and Colne Valley Tree Society, began clearing melted tree guards from the area on Saturday.The National Trust, which owns the land, and Colne Valley Tree Society, began clearing melted tree guards from the area on Saturday.
Kirklees councillor Matthew McLoughlin, who is part of the tree planting group, said more than half of the 25,000 new trees planted on the moor had been damaged. Kirklees councillor Matthew McLoughlin, who is part of the tree planting group, said more than a third of the 65,000 new trees planted on the moor had been damaged.
McLoughlin said: "The vast majority have been completely destroyed and the plastic has melted into where the roots were.McLoughlin said: "The vast majority have been completely destroyed and the plastic has melted into where the roots were.
"It obviously means a lot fewer trees growing up and helping the air get cleaner and take carbon down.""It obviously means a lot fewer trees growing up and helping the air get cleaner and take carbon down."
Because the fire did not penetrate the ground itself, some trees could still grow back from the roots - but it was not likely that many would regrow, he said.Because the fire did not penetrate the ground itself, some trees could still grow back from the roots - but it was not likely that many would regrow, he said.
Councillor Matthew McLoughlin helped clear up plastic from the moorCouncillor Matthew McLoughlin helped clear up plastic from the moor
The trees were planted as part of the Landscapes for Water preservation project, between the National Trust and Yorkshire Water, and funded by White Rose Forest.The trees were planted as part of the Landscapes for Water preservation project, between the National Trust and Yorkshire Water, and funded by White Rose Forest.
The aim of the project was to stop water running off the moors and to help prevent the erosion of the peatland. The aim of the project was to improve the upland habitats and make the landscape more resilient to the dangers of climate change.
The trees, planted alongside natural flood management, help to stop water running off the moors and to help prevent the erosion of the peatland.
Peat is a natural resource formed over long periods, mainly in wetland, which stores carbon.Peat is a natural resource formed over long periods, mainly in wetland, which stores carbon.
A Landscapes for Water spokesperson said: "Our community is at the heart of our work, and it is disheartening to see their hard work affected by the recent moorland fire.A Landscapes for Water spokesperson said: "Our community is at the heart of our work, and it is disheartening to see their hard work affected by the recent moorland fire.
"However, we remain committed to working with them to continue enhancing the landscape across the South Pennines, making it more resilient in the face of these challenges.""However, we remain committed to working with them to continue enhancing the landscape across the South Pennines, making it more resilient in the face of these challenges."
McLoughlin said the next steps were to remove plastic from the area and to replant the trees if funding can be secured. A spokesperson from the National Trust said the next steps for the project are to remove the damaged tree guards, check the trees underneath and protect the unaffected surviving trees.
"We have found that some of the trees have survived, we are working on surveying the area to understand the full extent of the damage," the spokesperson added.
The cause of the moorland fire is not yet known, according to investigators.The cause of the moorland fire is not yet known, according to investigators.
McLoughlin believes the fire was started deliberately and urged the public to report any suspicious behaviour.McLoughlin believes the fire was started deliberately and urged the public to report any suspicious behaviour.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.