Helicopters called in as Pennine wildfires causing delays on Woodhead Pass near Sheffield
Pictures show smoke near Woodhead reservoir as temporary lights as put in place
Sheffield motorists are facing delays getting across the Pennines, as firefighters battle wildfires which have reignited at Tintwistle Moor.
National Highways told The Star this afternoon temporary traffic lights are in place on the A628 to create a safe working zone for firefighters tackling the moorland fires.
It comes as Derbyshire firefighters continue to respond to the major wildfire incident at Tintwistle Moor, supported by crews from neighbouring fire and rescue services and other organisations.
Today, firefighters have two helicopters in the air carrying out water drops on hotspots, while a drone provides real-time aerial reconnaissance.
Crews on the ground are using a combination of water backpacks, beaters and all-terrain Argocat vehicles fitted with water tanks to tackle the fire and prevent further spread.
A fire service spokesman said this afternoon: “Please avoid the area and stay off the moorland. If you need to travel through the area, please expect some disruption on the nearby section of the A628 while crews maintain safe access to the incident scene.
“If you can see or smell smoke, please keep your windows and doors closed.”
New footage shows smoke spreading over the hills near Woodhead Reservoir in the Peak District, following a weekend of moorland fires in the national park.
The videos, said to have been from a fire at nearby Dove Stone Reservoir - rise over the hills and spread to Woodhead.
The new footage, which also shows a helicopter collecting water from Woodhead Reservoir to put the fire out, was taken at around 12 noon on Tuesday July 14.
The fires, near Glossop in Derbyshire, are said to have started Saturday July 11 with crews remaining at the site on Tuesday - working to extinguish remaining hotspots and monitor the area.
A woman has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving in connection to the Dove Stone Reservoir fire, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.
The man who submitted the videos said: “That proves how big it is that it has reached over that hill.
"You can smell the smell around Glossop. When you start getting towards the reservoir, you can’t have your windows open obviously because it does get really bad.”