More of a 'Black Friday' than a Good one for the Dark Peak as a
massive fire burned out of control on Bleaklow. From above Glossop,
the hill looked like a volcano with a massive plume of smoke blowing
from the burning moorland.
For some reason the blaze on Kinder, which started on Thursday, is
getting all the publicity in the national media, but the Bleaklow
fire is much, much larger and Glossop is shrouded in smoke, which
according to some reports has also reached as far as Manchester.
A Fire Brigade spokesman told OUTDOORSmagic that the area covered
by the Bleaklow fire measures approximately 5km by 2km with fresh
winds fanning the flames and helping to spread the fire. The area
affected is north of the Doctor's Gate bridleway and the A57 Snake
Pass from the top of Yellow Slack across to Shelf Moss and the
Wainstones. See map.
The extent of the fire means that it's effectively uncontrollable
and as a result, walkers are advised to avoid the area and the
section of the Pennine Way that crosses Bleaklow. The Fire Brigade
are concentrating on the smaller fire on Kinder - which is on the
plateau to the NW of the Downfall - using two helicopters dropping
water bombs.
The rest of the plateau is unaffected, but you should avoid the
area at the top of William Clough and, obviously the section of the
plateau between Ashop Head and the Downfall. One walker we met was
advised by a ranger that he was free to go that way, but he'd be
risking his safety and the Park Authority would not take
responsibility if he went into the area.
Meanwhile another fire is burning on Saddleworth Moor above
Marsden and tinder dry conditions have also led to forest fires in
Scotland and the west country.
Still smoking...
Incredibly, some walkers are still smoking in the Peak despite
prominent fire warning and, even more obviously, plumes of smoke from
the burning areas. It's hard to believe how stupid you'd have to be
to do that.
The only bright spot on the horizon is that the weather is
forecast to cool down with the possibility of rain from Saturday
afternoon.
Jon Doran
