Soldiers drafted in to assist firefighters on the ground at Saddleworth Moor, UK
Firefighters in Greater Manchester, UK, have been assisted by soldiers for a 48 hour period to help tackle the Saddleworth Moor fire that could rage “for weeks” to come.
On the 28th June, close to 100 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, troops were sent from their barracks in Catterick, North Yorkshire to assist firefighters on the ground.
At this current moment in time, firefighters have the blaze under control, but the fire service have warned that it could flare up at any given moment.
Jonathan Reynolds, the MP for Stalybridge, has heaped praise on the community for their “Blitz spirit” during a hugely difficult time.
The blaze near Saddleworth Moor has spread across seven square miles in six different areas, and as such, military assistance was requested to take the fire on.
Soldiers assisted by managing water lines and helping with the fire beating on the moorland, located just above Stalybridge.
Local shops and residents have done all they can to assist the emergency services, by ensuring that they are both watered and fed.
The fire has been hugely problematic for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), and have had to overcome a number of hurdles to get the situation into where it is now.
Frequent wind direction changes have caused chaos, while the heavy concentration of flammable peat in the ground, and the tinder-dry foliage, has baked in searing temperatures.
GMFRS also stated that the soldiers’ help will allow them to deal with other emergency calls.
