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Fire crews remain at Langdale Moor fire for fourth day Langdale Moor fire to burn 'for a number of days'- fire service
(about 1 hour later)
The fire is burning on land near RAF Fylingdales on the North York MoorsThe fire is burning on land near RAF Fylingdales on the North York Moors
Firefighters remain at the scene of a moorland fire on an old military range in the North York Moors National Park. A moorland fire on an old military range in the North York Moors National Park will continue to burn "for a number of days", according to the fire service.
The fire broke out on Langdale Moor, near the ballistic missile early warning base at RAF Fylingdales, on Monday evening.The fire broke out on Langdale Moor, near the ballistic missile early warning base at RAF Fylingdales, on Monday evening.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) said there were munitions in the area and people might hear explosions coming from the scene. Fire service area manager Ben Illsley said crews had been removed from the moorland as a precaution after four previously unexploded devices went off on Wednesday.
People living nearby were being asked to keep their windows and doors closed as there was still a lot of smoke in the area, the fire service added. Although firefighters were a significant distance from the explosions, they had adopted a "defensive containment" approach from the perimeter instead, he said.
There are 11 fire engines at the scene along with three argocats, which are off-road vehicles that provide a water-misting system. At its peak on Wednesday, 19 fire appliances were at the scene and a major incident was declared due to the number of resources needed.
Crews were being helped by local farmers and business owners, NYFRS said. Currently, there are 11 fire appliances in attendance with a contained 5 sq km (three sq miles) of moorland involved.
A spokesperson said: "We remain at the scene of the fire at Langdale Moor and are likely to be there for some time. There are no evacuation orders in place but people have been asked to avoid the area and residents should keep their windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke in the area.
"There's still a lot of smoke in the area so we're advising people nearby to keep doors and windows closed. Fire crews remain at the scene and are expected to be there for days to come
"Local farmers and businesses have been assisting us at the scene and we'd like to thank them for all their help." Mr Illsley said: "A lot of the ground that is involved in the fire is heavily peaty so it does burn for a considerable time.
The fire service said the cause of the fire was not yet known. "Our expectations... are that the fire will continue to burn for a number of days.
"We have precautions in place for our crews at the scene, but people may hear explosions. Explosive Ordnance Disposal are aware and are attending," the spokesperson added. "There is less visible flame on scene today but there is masses of energy within that peatland that will burn for a number of days now, generating smoke to that area."
Fire crews remain at the scene and are expected to be there for some time Operations currently include a helicopter and drone to monitor the fire aerially and specialist wildfire capabilities.
Farmers have also volunteered their machinery and helped to dig trenches and provide water to stop the blaze spreading.
The fire service said the cause had not yet been determined but an investigation was taking place.
Mr Illsley added "an amazing amount of work" had been put in to keeping the fire away from RAF Fylingdales while the wind blew towards the base.
It has now changed direction, he confirmed.
The fire covers an area of about 5 sq km, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said
Alison Hume, Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, thanked firefighters for their hard work.Alison Hume, Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, thanked firefighters for their hard work.
She said: "It's been four long, hot days with changing wind direction and difficult terrain. My thoughts are with them.She said: "It's been four long, hot days with changing wind direction and difficult terrain. My thoughts are with them.
"The fire is a great concern to me and all of my constituents."The fire is a great concern to me and all of my constituents.
"Those of us who live in Whitby or nearby will be very aware about the huge amount of smoke and the drop in air quality.""Those of us who live in Whitby or nearby will be very aware about the huge amount of smoke and the drop in air quality."
She added: "There's a plan to withdraw any non-North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue appliances today.She added: "There's a plan to withdraw any non-North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue appliances today.
"We've been really helped by neighbouring services coming in but it looks like that won't be needed going forward."We've been really helped by neighbouring services coming in but it looks like that won't be needed going forward.
"The military are going to sweep the moorland growth to help with the firebreak strategy. This is all going to come down to firebreaks."The military are going to sweep the moorland growth to help with the firebreak strategy. This is all going to come down to firebreaks.
"I understand that helicopters will be dropping water today on the affected areas and that's really good news that will help massively, because this area is quite difficult to access."I understand that helicopters will be dropping water today on the affected areas and that's really good news that will help massively, because this area is quite difficult to access.
"It's a serious situation but as of today, it's looking more hopeful.""It's a serious situation but as of today, it's looking more hopeful."
On Wednesday, NYFRS declared the fire a major incident and said it was covering an area of about 5 sq km.
People have described seeing thick plumes of smoke billowing across the moors in the area.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) said its heritage steam train services would be suspended until further notice, with diesel locomotives running instead.The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) said its heritage steam train services would be suspended until further notice, with diesel locomotives running instead.
It also said it would delay the start of the Tornado services that were due to run from Friday to Sunday.It also said it would delay the start of the Tornado services that were due to run from Friday to Sunday.
The fire covers an area of about 5 sq km, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.