Crews battle 900,000 sq m blaze closing A57 at Snake Pass
Crews were tackling a wildfire near snake pass on Friday after the blaze forced police to shut the A57 between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir in both directions. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said 900,000 sq m of moorland was on fire, and nine fire crews were at the scene by 11:30 BST.
Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir
The fire took hold near the Snake Pass on Thursday evening, then spread across a wide stretch of moorland in the Peak District. Police closed the A57 in both directions, cutting a route drivers use between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir while smoke reduced visibility on surrounding roads.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said the smoke plume was significant and was affecting roads in and around Glossop. Anyone who can see or smell smoke has been told to keep windows and doors closed, while motorists have been urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service
Firefighters from Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire were working on the incident, alongside support from the Peak District Fire Operations Group. That group included local gamekeepers, landowners and the Derby Mountain Rescue team, and the response also used three wildfire units and a helicopter.
The Peak District Moorland Group said neighbouring moorland gamekeepers were working through the night and rejoining the response on Friday morning. It also said weather on Friday would dry the moss out further and that moderate winds were moving the fire at pace.
Peak District Moorland Group
The wider moorland fire response came after the Peak District Moorland Group said gamekeepers dealt with 36 wild camping and open fire incidents last weekend. The National Gamekeepers' Organisation wildfire risk index had been moved to red for all moorland areas in England and Wales.
For drivers headed for the A57, the practical step was already clear: stay away from the closure and take another route until the fire service and police reopen the road.
