Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) urges residents and guests to take additional care on moorland and in rural areas as a part of the annual Be Moor Aware marketing campaign, geared toward stopping wildfires and lowering the impression they’ve on communities, companies, emergency providers and the atmosphere.
The marketing campaign brings collectively a variety of companions together with United Utilities, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), neighbouring fireplace and rescue providers and native councils, all working collectively to defend Greater Manchester’s moorland and countryside.
Wildfires place important stress on emergency providers and trigger critical injury to wildlife, habitats and native communities. GMFRS knowledge exhibits there have been 83 wildfires throughout Greater Manchester since 2021, together with a major rise in 2025, when 38 incidents have been recorded. Six wildfires have already been recorded to this point in 2026, with hotter and drier circumstances through the spring and summer time seemingly to enhance the risk.
Recent incidents have additionally highlighted the challenges confronted by firefighters tackling wildfires. Crews have responded to a number of large-scale moorland fires in tough terrain, usually working for prolonged durations in distant areas and altering circumstances to convey incidents below management and forestall additional escalation.
To assist forestall fires, GMFRS encourages the public to comply with its easy security recommendation:
- Act responsibly on the moors – no BBQs, fires or fireworks
- Dispose of all garbage appropriately and don’t litter
- If you see a hearth, name 999 and ask for the fireplace service
- Anonymously report deliberate fire-setting to FireStoppers by calling 0800 169 5558 or visiting firestoppersreport.co.uk
- Be conscious that beginning a hearth might lead to a fantastic and/or jail sentence
- If you reside in a rural space or an space susceptible to grass or wildfires, test your property and environment for fireplace hazards and handle vegetation to cut back the risk of fireside spreading to your property
In current years, GMFRS has invested in specialist tools and coaching to enhance its wildfire response, together with two Hagglund BV206 tracked automobiles geared up with 2,000-litre water tanks and specialist firefighting tools, two Polaris 4×4 automobiles and a flail mower for transporting personnel and welfare services, and creating fireplace breaks, a devoted wildfire burn suppression workforce, and light-weight private protecting tools designed particularly for wildfire incidents.
Head of Service Delivery Ben Levy mentioned:
“Wildfires present significant operational challenges for our crews, often requiring long hours in remote locations and rapidly changing conditions. During recent incidents, firefighters have worked tirelessly alongside partner agencies to bring fires under control and protect surrounding communities, wildlife and infrastructure.These incidents highlight the importance of our specialist wildfire capability, including off-road vehicles and equipment that allow us to access difficult terrain safely. However, prevention remains our most effective tool, and we’re asking the public to help reduce the risk by acting responsibly when visiting moorland areas.”
GMFRS Wildfire Lead Adrian Taylor mentioned:
“Wildfires can spread rapidly, especially during warm and dry weather, putting lives, wildlife and property at risk. Many of these fires are preventable, and we’re asking everyone to take responsibility when visiting our moorland areas. Small actions, such as not using disposable barbecues and taking litter home, can make a huge difference in preventing devastating fires.”
To be taught extra concerning the marketing campaign and wildfire security recommendation, go to:
https://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/your-safety/campaigns/be-moor-aware/
To hear extra about our work tackling and stopping wildfires, you possibly can hear to our GMFRS podcast, Beyond the Call: https://open.spotify.com/episode/22p3XBogFZytkR2N6C4prp
23/04/2026 12:24 PM
