Two moorland fire sections returned to owners

Firefighters have returned two more sections of land affected by a large moorland fire to their landowner.

Crews were first called to Tintwistle Moor, near Glossop in Derbyshire, on 24 June, and a major incident was declared on 12 July due to the scale and complexity of the blaze.

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

The major incident was scaled back on 3 August, and firefighters remain in one section of affected land to tackle "deep-seated hotspots".

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said following "continued progress over recent days", two further sectors of affected land - Featherbed Moss and Crowden - had been safely handed back to landowners United Utilities to monitor.

The Didsbury Intake section of affected land was handed over to United Utilities at the end of July.

A spokesperson for the service said: "Strong fire breaks and containment measures remain in place across all three sectors to help prevent any further spread and support ongoing monitoring activity."

The service said the final remaining sector - Arnfield Moor - continued to require an operational response and deep-seated hotspots remained within the peat - where heat can persist for long periods below the surface.

The spokesperson added: "This latest development marks significant progress in the incident and is a testament to the hard work, commitment and professionalism of the firefighters and partner agencies who have been involved in the response.

"Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service will continue to maintain a presence in the area, carrying out firefighting operations within the Arnfield Moor sector while also recovering and removing equipment from the other three sectors."

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