A wildfire on Tintwistle Moor which initially started over eight weeks ago (24 June) is now out and Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has formally stood down its operational response.
AI-generated illustrative image; it does not show the Tintwistle Moor incident.
Firefighters had been monitoring the final remaining sector at Arnfield Moor to ensure the fire was fully extinguished before a stop message was issued, Monday 24 August, shortly before 13:00 hours signalling the end of the incident.
The scale and complexity of the wildfire led to a major incident being declared on 12 July, with firefighters from Derbyshire and across the country, as well as partner agencies, supporting the response over the weeks that followed.
The issuing of the stop message brings to a close one of the longest-running incidents in terms of operational deployment that DFRS has ever attended. However, while firefighting operations have now ceased, work will continue over the coming days to recover the remaining equipment used throughout the incident.
Responsibility for the site has now been handed back to the landowner, United Utilities. DFRS will continue to work closely with United Utilities over the coming week, providing advice and support as recovery activity continues across the moor.
Area Manager Nathan Stevens said: "The issuing of the stop message marks the end of a significant and complex incident that has required a sustained response over many weeks.
“This incident has demonstrated the incredible dedication of people right across Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service. While our firefighters worked tirelessly on the moor, colleagues in Control and support teams played a vital role behind the scenes, helping to sustain the response while ensuring we continued to deliver services to our communities throughout the incident.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone involved, including colleagues from across the Service, partner agencies, other fire and rescue services, landowners, farmers, gamekeepers and local communities. The scale and duration of this wildfire presented significant challenges, and the response would not have been possible without the collective efforts of many organisations and individuals working together.
“While the fire is now out and operational activity on the moor has ended, work continues behind the scenes to recover equipment and return resources to normal availability. We remain extremely grateful to everyone who played a part in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion."