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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Firefighters tackling ongoing fire on Dartmoor | Firefighters tackling ongoing fire on Dartmoor |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the fire, which started on Sunday, was ongoing | Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the fire, which started on Sunday, was ongoing |
| Firefighters are battling a large wildfire on Dartmoor that started on Sunday evening. | |
| Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze had spread across an area 3km (1.9 miles) by 1.4km (0.9 miles) and crews from 13 stations had been deployed to the Dartmoor Forest area near Cut Hill. | |
| Wildlife support officers and a police helicopter were also deployed, which confirmed there were no concerns about injuries or missing people. | Wildlife support officers and a police helicopter were also deployed, which confirmed there were no concerns about injuries or missing people. |
| On Monday the fire service asked people to avoid the area and advised anyone whose property was affected by the smoke to close their windows. | On Monday the fire service asked people to avoid the area and advised anyone whose property was affected by the smoke to close their windows. |
| More appliances have been mobilised to provide further relief on Monday morning | More appliances have been mobilised to provide further relief on Monday morning |
| At about 10:45 BST, a spokesperson for the fire service asked people to avoid the Merrivale and the Okehampton range areas. | At about 10:45 BST, a spokesperson for the fire service asked people to avoid the Merrivale and the Okehampton range areas. |
| They said: "If you are heading up the moor because with the changeable weather, the fire might behave unpredictably. | They said: "If you are heading up the moor because with the changeable weather, the fire might behave unpredictably. |
| "We are monitoring it and we are still attempting to extinguish it." | "We are monitoring it and we are still attempting to extinguish it." |
| There are currently 10 appliances at the scene, most of which are "special fire appliances for moorland firefighting", the spokesperson said. | There are currently 10 appliances at the scene, most of which are "special fire appliances for moorland firefighting", the spokesperson said. |
| The fire service said the cause was currently "unknown". | The fire service said the cause was currently "unknown". |
| Area manager, Simon Young, said the area of the damage was about 500 hectares. | |
| Simon Lee said there was "significant damage" to the moorland | Simon Lee said there was "significant damage" to the moorland |
| Head Ranger at Dartmoor National Park Simon Lee said there was "significant damage" and there was concern around wildlife and the fabric of the moor. | Head Ranger at Dartmoor National Park Simon Lee said there was "significant damage" and there was concern around wildlife and the fabric of the moor. |
| He said with it being a Bank Holiday weekend, they are advising people to leave this section of the moor alone, and not be tempted to "have a look". | He said with it being a Bank Holiday weekend, they are advising people to leave this section of the moor alone, and not be tempted to "have a look". |
| "Let us and the emergency services do their work and not to light BBQs or fires while Dartmoor is vulnerable due to the ongoing dry weather," said Mr Lee. | "Let us and the emergency services do their work and not to light BBQs or fires while Dartmoor is vulnerable due to the ongoing dry weather," said Mr Lee. |
| The fire started at about 14:30 on Sunday and has been "burning all night", he said. | The fire started at about 14:30 on Sunday and has been "burning all night", he said. |
| "We are hoping we can put it out in daylight today," said Mr Lee. | "We are hoping we can put it out in daylight today," said Mr Lee. |
| The majority of the firefighting appliances in use on Monday are specialist moorland firefighting vehicles | The majority of the firefighting appliances in use on Monday are specialist moorland firefighting vehicles |
| He said they were unable to get four-wheeled vehicles to access the fire, and they were using quadbikes and argocats, but even then, it was "quite a struggle". | He said they were unable to get four-wheeled vehicles to access the fire, and they were using quadbikes and argocats, but even then, it was "quite a struggle". |
| Mr Lee said a police helicopter on Sunday evening advised people camping and visiting to "move on". | Mr Lee said a police helicopter on Sunday evening advised people camping and visiting to "move on". |
| "Sometimes the wind can help if it is backburning, but fire is burning into the wind rather than with it," he said. | "Sometimes the wind can help if it is backburning, but fire is burning into the wind rather than with it," he said. |
| "Because of the locality and the amount of fuel out there, it is quite challenging." | "Because of the locality and the amount of fuel out there, it is quite challenging." |
| Devon and Cornwall Police warned people travelling in the area to be aware of increased levels of smoke and the risk of reduced visability on the road. | |
| "If you can avoid the area, please do," police said. | |
| Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. |