Major road remains closed as crews tackle wildfire

A major road in the Peak District will remain shut until at least Wednesday to allow crews to safely continue tackling a moorland fire.

Firefighters were first called to Tintwistle Moor, near Glossop in Derbyshire, on 24 June, and a major incident was declared on 13 July.

Analysis of data from the European Forest Fire Information System (Effis) by BBC Verify estimates the fire has burned 606 hectares (1,497 acres) - equivalent to 900 football pitches.

On Monday, National Highways said the A628 Woodhead Pass was expected to remain closed in both directions between the A57 at Hollingworth and the A616 at Flouch until at least Wednesday.

Effis estimates the damage caused by a wildfire at Dovestone Reservoir, north of the Tintwistle blaze, is about 90 hectares (220 acres).

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said operations resumed on Monday after they were suspended on Sunday due to heavy rainfall, which had created "poor visibility and dangerous conditions" on the moorland.

A spokesperson for the service said: "While this has provided some welcome assistance to crews by helping to dampen vegetation and reduce fire activity in some locations, supporting the significant progress already made by firefighters and partner agencies, work continues to fully extinguish the fire."

It said crews were working alongside partner organisations to extinguish remaining hotspots, reduce the risk of reignition and bring the fire to a "safe conclusion".

However, it said the fire remained a major incident due to its "scale, terrain and complexity".

People have also been warned to stay away from areas affected by the fire, and to avoid using barbecues or starting campfires on moorland.

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