Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has issued a warning to the public after spending three hours tackling a blaze in Tameside over the weekend.
Crews were called to reports of a grass fire near Carrbrook in Stalybridge on Sunday afternoon, and a photograph subsequently shared by GMFRS to Twitter the extent of the blaze and a large area of scorched grassland.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that around 2,500 square metres of land were affected.
In the tweet, a spokesman for GMFRS said: “Our crews have spent the last three hours dealing with a 2500 square metre grass fire near Carrbrook, Stalybridge
“If you’re out today, act responsibly and never have a barbecue or start a campfire on the moors.”
As well as issuing the warning to “act responsibly”, GMFRS has also reiterated some general advice on how to enjoy Greater Manchester’s green spaces as safely as possible, as it says that fire destroys thousands of acres of countryside and wildlife habitats every year.
“Some fires are started deliberately, but most are due to carelessness.”
The advice on the GMFRS website states:
- Never take a barbecue on the moors or to the countryside – it poses a huge risk of fire, is a risk to the environment and ties up firefighters who may be needed for other serious incidents.
- Always extinguish your cigarette and any other smoking materials properly, and never throw your cigarette butt out of your car window as it could ruin whole fields of crops.
- Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodlands as sunlight shining through the glass can start large fires, so take them home or put them in the waste or recycling bin instead.
- Never start a fire of any kind – It may seem a good idea at the time, but a fire in the open can easily get out of control.
- Keep children away from matches and cigarettes and open fires.
If you see a fire while out in the Greater Manchester countryside, report it immediately and don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water.
Leave the area as soon as possible and dial 999, and if you witness illegal activity, this should be reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
You can find more information via the GMFRS website here.
Featured Image – Pixahive
