‘Copter called in to fight moor fire
‘Copter called in to fight moor fire
20 July 2006
published by www.sheffieldtoday.net
England, UK — Firefighters from Derbyshire used a helicopter to tackle a huge moorland blaze which broke out in the Peak District yesterday afternoon.
Fire crews were alerted to the blaze at Bleaklow Moor near Glossop at 2.30pm by a national parkranger.
Four engines raced to the scene to try and contain the blaze which affected 20,000 square metres of peat and heather moorland. and a helicopter was scrambled to fly over the site bombing the flames withwater.
Crews from Bradwell, Glossop, Chapel-en-le-Frith and New Mills attended the blaze. But for safety reasons they were withdrawn from the firefighting task when it turned dark last night. They were expected back on the scene at first light thismorning.
The blaze broke out as the Peak District National Park Authority banned people from leaving public rights of way on the moorland – to reduce the risk of firesstarting.
The Authority has also had an emergency fire group on stand-by and rangers patrolling high risk moorland areas from dawn to dusk. The National Park’s head of access and recreation, Sean Prendergast, said: “A fire will only break out if somebody starts it, either through carelessness or a deliberate act of malice.
“We want to appeal to people to take extra care not to smoke or light fires in the area, or even throw cigarette butts out of car-windows.”
For more information about the ban call 01629 816361.
CORUS Engineering Steels cut power consumption at its Rotherham plant by five per cent as soaring temperatures continued to put pressure on energy use.
“We had a request from our energy supplier to reduce demand by five per cent and we have been able to help them on this occasion,” said a Corus spokesman. “Fortunately we had a planned maintenance day in our primarymill.”
AFTER sweltering in 32 degree heat yesterday much of the county was faced with cloud and drizzle this morning, to be followed by spells of sunshine with showers and the risk of thunder. The wekeend will also bring a mix of sunshine and heavy and thunderyshowers.
During yesterday’s scorching heat, asphalt on the city’s roads started to melt. Limestone dust or sand was spread on affected areas.
